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FRANKFORT, Ky. — A referendum on the state beef check-off program will be held Dec. 7 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. local time at all county Cooperative Extension offices, Agriculture Commissioner Richie Farmer has announced.
The referendum asks bovine animal producers to increase the mandatory assessment for the Kentucky program from 25 cents to $1 per head. The proposed increase would take effect only if the federal check-off program is discontinued. Funds would be used for beef promotion, consumer information, producer communication, industry information and research.
The Kentucky State Board of Agriculture approved the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association’s request for a referendum in its October meeting.
The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments on the constitutionality of the national beef check-off program on Dec. 8. A federal appeals court has ruled that beef producers do not have to pay the check-off fee. The $1-per-head national beef check-off raises about $85 million per year for promotion and research.
Absentee balloting will be permitted. Eligible voters may request an absentee ballot in writing to Commissioner Farmer at least 10 days before the referendum date. The request must include a statement that the applicant is engaged in the production of bovine animals on a commercial basis and is 18 or older. Applications may be obtained from any Cooperative Extension office. The signature of the applicant must be notarized. Requests should be sent to Mark Farrow, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Room 188, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, KY 40601.
For more information, contact Farrow by phone at (502) 564-5126 or by e-mail at mark.farrow@ky.gov, or Dave Maples of the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association by phone at (859) 278-0899 or by e-mail at dmaples@kycattle.org.
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NOTE TO EDITORS: The check-off referendum notice follows.
NOTICE OF CHECK-OFF REFERENDUM
A check-off referendum will be held on Tuesday, December 7, 2004, from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (local time) at all county Cooperative Extension Service offices. Producers of bovine animals involved in the marketing or sale of bovine animals are eligible to vote. Identification will be necessary to vote.
Application to hold a statewide referendum was made by the Kentucky Cattlemen's Association and approved by the Kentucky State Board of Agriculture at their October 7, 2004 meeting.
The referendum will be asking bovine animal producers to increase the state check-off program from $.25 to $1.00. The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association will administer the funds on behalf of the Kentucky Beef Council in the areas of Beef Promotion, Consumer Information, Producer Communication, Industry Information, and Research. This program has been in place since 1986.
Although collection of check-off funds shall be mandatory, reimbursement of funds paid is an option to the producer.
PLEASE NOTE: The state check-off program will take effect ONLY if the national check-off program is terminated. In the case of termination of the national program, the state bovine animal check-off would take effect immediately.
Absentee voting is permitted. The request for an absentee ballot shall be made in writing to the Commissioner at least ten (10) days in advance of the referendum date. The request for the absentee ballot must contain the following statement: "I am engaged in the production of bovine animals on a commercial basis and I am eighteen (18) years of age or older" or a request form can be obtained from any Cooperative Extension Service Office. The signature of the person applying for the absentee ballot must be notarized. Requests should be sent to Mark Farrow, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Room 188, Capitol Annex, 702 Capitol Avenue, Frankfort, Kentucky 40601.
For additional information, contact Dave Maples, Kentucky Cattlemen's Association, 859/278- 0899, email: dmaples@kycattle.org or Mark Farrow, Kentucky Department of Agriculture, 502/564-5126, email: mark.farrow@ky.gov.
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