checkoff
Coalition tells USDA: Thumbs down on organic checkoff
The USDA should reject the checkoff program proposed by the organic industry, says a coalition of opponents, who contend the checkoff would fail to expand U.S. production despite seemingly insatiable consumer demand.
House panel would bar public-records searches of checkoff programs
Some of the biggest commodity groups in the country have enlisted lawmakers in a quiet campaign to shut off public access to the activities of the quasi-governmental boards that promote U.S. cotton, beef, eggs and other agricultural products.
Former USDA official to head egg board
The former administrator of USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service, Anne Alonzo, will become the chief executive of the American Egg Board, reports Agri-Pulse, pointing to clues in a trade publication.
USDA calls referendum on pecan checkoff program
Pecan growers in 15 states nationwide will vote from March 9-30 on creating a checkoff program that would raise up to $8 million a year for research and promotion of the nut crop, according to a notice to appear today in the Federal Register.
Four-week vote on whether to keep the sorghum checkoff
Growers can vote from March 23-April 21 in a referendum on whether to keep the sorghum-checkoff program in operation. The checkoff went into business in July 2008 to raise money for research on, and promotion of, the feed grain.
A three-year process to get a $2 beef checkoff
A cattle industry leader spelled out a three-year timeline that ends with a doubling of the current $1-per-head beef checkoff. Scott George, past president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, provided the timeline during a session at the...
New idea for beef checkoff update – a vote on $2 fee
Under a new attempt for harmony over the beef checkoff program, the proposed $2 per head fee would be put to a nationwide referendum among cattle producers, says DTN.
The beef about the checkoff
David Pfrang and Jim Dobbins, who live in the rolling hills of northeastern Kansas, are "two farmers raising an few cattle and a lot of Cain," says Harvest Public Media in a deep dive into the politics of the beef checkoff program.
A recap: Congress constrains whole-grain rule, beef checkoff
The government funding bill approved by Congress would relax a requirement for schools to use more whole-grain rich foods and block USDA from creating a new beef checkoff program.
Meat-origin labels, beef checkoff clipped by omnibus bill
As part of the $1 trillion government funding bill awaiting a vote in Congress, lawmakers would direct USDA to suggest changes by May 1 in the law that requires packages of beef, pork and chicken to list where the meat was born, raised and slaughtered. The language appears in an explanatory statement that accompanies the bill. Such statements do not carry the force of law but are powerful advice to federal officials.
NFU proposes no beef checkoff money to groups that lobby
The second-largest U.S. farm group called for "a major course correction" of the beef checkoff program. The National Farmers Union spelled out five principles "to turn the checkoff into an effective tool," including a referendum every five years on...
USDA drops idea of new, separate beef checkoff
USDA won't proceed with its proposal for a new and separate beef checkoff program, said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in DTN interview, acceding to congressional opposition.
USDA asks comments on a new, separate beef checkoff
The Agriculture Department seeks public comment on all aspects, from the size of the assessment to who will be in charge, of a separate beef checkoff program that it intends to create.
Pork group uses social media to shape views on antibiotics
The farmer-funded National Pork Board "will use an online marketing campaign to counter a critical television documentary on antibiotics use in livestock," says Reuters.
USDA drafting a new beef checkoff amid industry disarray
The Agriculture Department is drafting a $1 a head beef checkoff program of its own that would run alongside the current $1 checkoff that is a lightning rod for complaints of favoritism.