LEDUC, Alta. —Alberta Lamb Producers is asking for a vote that will ultimately decide whether its checkoff will become non-refundable.
On Nov. 3, members of the commission voted overwhelmingly in favour of a plebiscite that would ask if they want a non-refundable checkoff. It’s now up to the Agricultural Products Marketing Council, which oversees crop and livestock commissions, to approve the plebiscite.
“It’s always a good day when producers can have choice,” Alberta Lamb chair Darlene Stein said following the organization’s annual general meeting in Leduc.
Read Also

U.S. farm group supports supply management
U.S. grassroots farm advocacy group pushing new agriculture legislation that would move towards supply management like Canada has for dairy industry
She said all but three producers were in favour of a plebiscite, indicating many of them want a non-refundable checkoff.
“A lot of people want to have that vote … and the sense I got was a lot of people are in favour of a non-refundable checkoff, but we will see what happens.”
A non-refundable checkoff would make budgeting easier, she added. The commission brings in $170,000 to $200,000 per year and refunds about $18,000.
“When you’re a small industry, that makes up a good amount,” she said, adding that while only a small number of producers are receiving refunds, the loss in revenue is still significant.
“It shows there aren’t a lot of unhappy people, but it adds up to a significant chunk of change.”
If the marketing council approves the plebiscite, the vote will likely be held by the end of 2019 or early 2020.