The Checkoff Study Task Force, after studying the industry and various checkoff programs for the last year, recommends asking USDA to consider a Checkoff program for the Christmas Tree industry that would include:
* Forming a new, independent Christmas Tree Promotion Board to direct the program, with board members being selected from multiple regions in proportion to the amount of production in each region.
* An assessment rate of 15 cents per harvested tree
* Exempting producers who harvest fewer than 500 trees per year
* Assessing imported trees, but also exempting those that import less than 500 trees
* Holding a referendum after three years to determine the continuation of the program, in which each producer subject to and complying with the assessment will be entitled to vote
* Subsequent referendums be held at least once every five years
* Allowing producers to request a refund of assessments collected prior to the first referendum.
After hearing feedback from members and many of the state and regional associations, NCTA's Board of Directors, during a conference call held March 10, voted to support a proposed Checkoff program as outlined.
The Checkoff Task Force will pursue working out remaining details with an attorney and USDA and continue to communicate with NCTA and state/regional associations. The recommendations of the task force are not final, and modifications may be required as the process unfolds. At some point, USDA will publish a proposed rule, followed by a 30 to 60 day comment period, during which all associations and individuals will be encouraged to send comments to USDA. More information will be provided as it becomes available.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Friday, January 30, 2009
Recent Article in "Beef Checkoff News"
Approval Of Beef Checkoff Slightly Lower
Still, Producers Recognize Underlying Program Strengths
Producers continue to have a favorable opinion about the Beef Checkoff Program, despite the current economic challenges facing the industry. A representative survey of 1,200 beef producers nationwide was conducted by an independent market research firm in late December and early January and found that 68 percent of producers approved of the checkoff, down from 72 percent a year ago.
“With negative market conditions we expected that overall approval might drop,” said Richard Nielson, an Ephraim, Utah, cow-calf producer and chairman of the Joint Producer Communications Committee. He said while the shift in approval is just outside the survey’s statistical margin of error of ±2.8 percent and is therefore ‘significant,’ the survey found that producers recognize the program has some key strengths and plays an important role in the cattle business.
Producers were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with a series of statements about the checkoff. A large majority, 83 percent, felt the checkoff program has helped contribute to a positive trend in consumer demand for beef. About the same number believed the program had value in weak economic conditions and were confident the checkoff is on their side during a crisis. When it comes to their own operation, producers largely said the program had benefited them. Approximately seven in 10 thought that over the years the beef checkoff helped contribute to the profitability of their operations. Management of the checkoff was viewed favorably as well. Nearly two-thirds, 64 percent, believed the checkoff program is being managed well.
“Producer approval of the checkoff has ranged from the mid-60 to the mid-70 percent range for more than a decade. As our researchers pointed out, the current economic situation certainly played a role in pulling approval lower. But we also know that approval is tied to how informed producers are about the program. Our challenge, therefore, remains to help producers get to know their program by providing many different information choices,” Nielson said. He noted that despite year-to-year cuts in the producer communications budget, his committee recommended an information program that includes paid ads in producer-read publications and on television, an online presence anchored by the MyBeefCheckoff.com Web site, work with agricultural editors and broadcasters on stories about the checkoff, and direct e-newsletters for beef and dairy producers.
“Our goal is to make learning about the beef checkoff as easy and as available as possible for producers everywhere,” Neilson said. A copy of the research report is available online.
# # #
The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
Still, Producers Recognize Underlying Program Strengths
Producers continue to have a favorable opinion about the Beef Checkoff Program, despite the current economic challenges facing the industry. A representative survey of 1,200 beef producers nationwide was conducted by an independent market research firm in late December and early January and found that 68 percent of producers approved of the checkoff, down from 72 percent a year ago.
“With negative market conditions we expected that overall approval might drop,” said Richard Nielson, an Ephraim, Utah, cow-calf producer and chairman of the Joint Producer Communications Committee. He said while the shift in approval is just outside the survey’s statistical margin of error of ±2.8 percent and is therefore ‘significant,’ the survey found that producers recognize the program has some key strengths and plays an important role in the cattle business.
Producers were asked whether they agreed or disagreed with a series of statements about the checkoff. A large majority, 83 percent, felt the checkoff program has helped contribute to a positive trend in consumer demand for beef. About the same number believed the program had value in weak economic conditions and were confident the checkoff is on their side during a crisis. When it comes to their own operation, producers largely said the program had benefited them. Approximately seven in 10 thought that over the years the beef checkoff helped contribute to the profitability of their operations. Management of the checkoff was viewed favorably as well. Nearly two-thirds, 64 percent, believed the checkoff program is being managed well.
“Producer approval of the checkoff has ranged from the mid-60 to the mid-70 percent range for more than a decade. As our researchers pointed out, the current economic situation certainly played a role in pulling approval lower. But we also know that approval is tied to how informed producers are about the program. Our challenge, therefore, remains to help producers get to know their program by providing many different information choices,” Nielson said. He noted that despite year-to-year cuts in the producer communications budget, his committee recommended an information program that includes paid ads in producer-read publications and on television, an online presence anchored by the MyBeefCheckoff.com Web site, work with agricultural editors and broadcasters on stories about the checkoff, and direct e-newsletters for beef and dairy producers.
“Our goal is to make learning about the beef checkoff as easy and as available as possible for producers everywhere,” Neilson said. A copy of the research report is available online.
# # #
The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
Monday, September 22, 2008
California Raisin Marketing Board Names New Exec VP
Ron Worthley, president/general manager of the California Raisin Administrative Committee (RAC) and the California Raisin Marketing Board (CRMB) has appointed Gary Schulz to the position of executive vice president of both organizations effective Sept. 8, 2008. Schulz is a fifth-generation farmer, managed Tulare's International Agri-Center for fifteen years, and, most recently, served as program director for the Central Valley Business Incubator while consulting for various economic development and political clients. Schulz will bring his experience to the California raisin industry, as it seeks a broader presence on the world agricultural stage.
Cattlemen's Beef Board Approves $42 Million Budget
The Beef Promotion Operating Committee this week approved spending the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) Fiscal Year 2009 program budget of $42 million on a total of 35 national checkoff programs. But it definitely was not an easy process, as committee members passionately debated proposals in an effort to find places to cut expenditures enough to meet decreasing revenue projections. Click here for additional information.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Checkoff News
Iowa corn growers vote to boost checkoff
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) announced Thursday that the state's corn growers had overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to increase the state's corn checkoff from a half-penny to three-quarters-of-a-cent per bushel. Preliminary results show 73% voted in favor of the increase and 27% voted against it. Click here to read full story.
Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) announced Thursday that the state's corn growers had overwhelmingly voted Tuesday to increase the state's corn checkoff from a half-penny to three-quarters-of-a-cent per bushel. Preliminary results show 73% voted in favor of the increase and 27% voted against it. Click here to read full story.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Checkoff News
National Sorghum Checkoff Approved
Sorghum producers have approved a National Sorghum Checkoff to raise money for research. More info at the National Sorghum Growers web site and Delta Farm Press.
Michigan Group Discusses Possible Christmas Tree Checkoff
Growers in Michigan held the first of four facilitated meetings to discuss a possible checkoff program for promotion and research in the Christmas Tree industy. The group worked though a number of possiblities open to the industry. Their input will be combined with that from the other three facilitated meetings, as well as calls and e-mails to task force members (or though this web site). The next two facilitated meetings are this week in North Carolina (Tuesday) and Oregon (Thursday). See details below.
Sorghum producers have approved a National Sorghum Checkoff to raise money for research. More info at the National Sorghum Growers web site and Delta Farm Press.
Michigan Group Discusses Possible Christmas Tree Checkoff
Growers in Michigan held the first of four facilitated meetings to discuss a possible checkoff program for promotion and research in the Christmas Tree industy. The group worked though a number of possiblities open to the industry. Their input will be combined with that from the other three facilitated meetings, as well as calls and e-mails to task force members (or though this web site). The next two facilitated meetings are this week in North Carolina (Tuesday) and Oregon (Thursday). See details below.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Informational Meetings Set
Informational meetings are being set up to address questions and discuss the options available to the industry. Four meetings will be moderated by Hugh Whaley, President of Association & Government Business for Osborn & Barr. They will be:
Michigan: Fri, June 13, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm , Montcalm Community College, Sidney, MI. Visit this site or call 800-589-8733 for more info
North Carolina: Tues, June 17, Boone Methodist Church: 1:00-5:00 pm. Call 800-562-8789 for more info
Pacific Northwest: Thurs, June 19, Corvallis, OR -- Oregon State University -- CH2M Hill Alumni Center (NE corner of 26th and Western), 1:00-5:00 pm. Call 541-929-2289 for more info
New York / Pennsylvania: Tentative -- Sat, August 2, 1:00 -5:00 pm. Mariott Courtyard Hotel, Erie, PA
Michigan: Fri, June 13, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm , Montcalm Community College, Sidney, MI. Visit this site or call 800-589-8733 for more info
North Carolina: Tues, June 17, Boone Methodist Church: 1:00-5:00 pm. Call 800-562-8789 for more info
Pacific Northwest: Thurs, June 19, Corvallis, OR -- Oregon State University -- CH2M Hill Alumni Center (NE corner of 26th and Western), 1:00-5:00 pm. Call 541-929-2289 for more info
New York / Pennsylvania: Tentative -- Sat, August 2, 1:00 -5:00 pm. Mariott Courtyard Hotel, Erie, PA
Click here to RSVP. There is no charge to attend these sessions.
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