CALGARY — Alberta cattle producers will continue to pay a non-refundable checkoff.
Results of a producer plebiscite showed 3,876 out of 7,410 producers or 52.7 percent voted in favor of retaining the mandatory $1.50 levy on each animal sold. A simple majority of votes cast determined the outcome, said a news release from returning officer Cliff Downey.
The money is collected by the Alberta Cattle Commission where it’s used to fund research and beef promotion activities on a province-wide basis. Some is directed to the Beef Information Centre which handles national promotions.
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ACC chair Larry Sears said 7,400 voters was a fair representation of the serious producers in the province. The ACC won a court challenge to the checkoff last year and agreed to hold the plebiscite on whether it should be refundable.
That done, the next step for the commission is to evaluate its constitution under the Alberta Agricultural Products Marketing Council. Consultation will start with other industry groups in the province to chart the ACC’s future plans, said commission manager Gary Sargent.
“Now we have a decision from producers …we will be working with the industry to develop a new plan for the cattle commission that will carry the industry into the 21st century.”
The Western Stock Growers Association said it accepts the results. Welding Kolstad, of the association, said it’s time for cattle producers to stop bickering over the issue.
Kolstad said his organization wants more control put on ACC administration costs and an increase in beef promotions.
“We would like to see them more responsible to the various segments of the cattle industry such as the cattle feeders and cow/calf guys. We would like to see more control on administration costs and we’d like to see a little more spent towards advertisements to meet their commitment of $1 per head.”
