Cattle producers will vote for or against the establishment of a state beef checkoff after approval of a petition to establish the assessment.
Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce hosted a Dec. 9 public hearing on the referendum at the Missouri Electric Cooperatives building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds. More than 75 producers shared their opinions regarding the referendum to establish a $1 per head state beef checkoff assessment.
The director based his decision on that testimony.
“At the hearing, I was personally able to hear from producers the pros and cons of a beef referendum,” Fordyce said. “I appreciated the large and diverse turnout and the courteous and professional manner of the participants. While listening to the opinions and concerns of those testifying, a common theme emerged: cattle producers should be given an opportunity to vote on whether a state beef checkoff should be established. I agree that a vote of the producers is the best way to decide the issue; therefore, I have approved the petition of the Missouri Beef Industry Council board of directors to conduct a referendum.”
Cattle producers will be required to register to vote. Beginning Jan. 4, producers can register online at agriculture.mo.gov or by visiting their county USDA-FSA office. Producers can also request a voter registration form by calling 573-751-5633 or sending an email to voter.registration@mda.mo.gov. Voter registration ends March 4.
Ballots will be mailed to registered producers on April 4. They must be returned with a postmark deadline of April 15, to be considered valid. Results will be announced April 25.