Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad signed a bill into law last week allowing beef producers to decide whether they want a state beef checkoff that would give beef promoters an extra 50 cents per head of Iowa cattle sold.
Beef industry officials say they need the extra money, which they estimate at up to $1.5 million a year, to research beef production and educate the public about the benefits of the industry.
Beef also is competing with chicken and pork for consumers, said Justine Stevenson, director of government relations and public policy for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.
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