The cattle industry’s ongoing discussions about the future of the beef checkoff have been fraught with discord, but one issue appears to have united them: rejection of U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s proposal to create a second, independently administered checkoff.
“No groups have stepped forward to say they want to be a part of this,” said Dave Wright, a Neligh rancher and president of the Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service sought public input early last month on the proposal, asking those who comment to answer eight questions about how the new checkoff should be structured and overseen. The comment period is open through Wednesday.
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