Cattle Owners Vote This Week to Continue Alabama Beef Checkoff Program

WINSTON COUNTY - Cattle owners in Alabama will have the opportunity to vote yes or no to continue a voluntary self-help checkoff program on Wednesday, October 24. This program provides funds necessary to improve the business climate for beef production in the state by advertising beef, educating consumers, supporting youth programs, funding cattle production research and providing cattlemen with educational programs.
Cattle growers checkoff a dollar per head when cattle are sold and the funds are managed by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. The funds can be used to provide staff and activities for youth and young cattlemen as well as hold programs and conduct research on cattle production. Each year, a group of cattlemen, stockyard operators, cattlewomen, educators, and other industry leaders meet to pass checkoff programs and develop a plan for spending checkoff dollars during the coming year in Alabama.
“As cattle producers, we’re fortunate to have the Alabama State Beef Checkoff program,” ACA President and Athens, AL cattle producer Jack Batts said. “This helps us promote our product, but it also does so much more for us. Today more people want to know where their food comes from, and we are able to provide information for teachers, dietitians, culinary arts students retailers and foodservice operators about cattle production and the beef industry. We also have funds to support activities for youth, and educational meetings for cattlemen. The program is voluntary, so if a cattleman doesn’t support the checkoff he can get his money back through the refund provision.”
“The 100+ member ACA Board of Directors encourages cattle owners to check yes in the referendum,” Batts continued.
The referendum vote will be held on October 24 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at local County Extension Offices statewide. The Winston County Extension office is located in Double Springs on Hwy. 195 south. All cattle owners are eligible to vote one time in-person regardless of county of residence or the county where they own cattle. No proxy or absentee voting is allowed. For more information, go to  www.BamaBeef.org/Vote