PONOKA, Alta. — Talking about an organization’s mandatory re-view is like doing taxes. It’s necessary, but you’re glad when it’s done.
Alberta Beef Producers is required to review every five years its regulations and laws that govern its mandate and operations.
Meetings this summer produced seven recommendations to change and improve the cattle organization, including a $1 non-refundable provincial levy to be used for promotion, marketing, research, industry and communications.
Chris Simpson of Bentley said changing from a mandatory to a refundable cattle checkoff has limited the organization’s ability to fund important projects, lobby government officials on behalf of cattle producers and promote beef to consumers.
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“It’s widely recognized there is not enough funding to be competitive,” Simpson said during a producer meeting.
ABP has received almost $10 million in check-off refund requests since 2010, with 86 percent of it coming from feedlots.
Members at the meeting approved a motion from Irwin Wolter of Falun to request a $1 non-refundable provincial levy. The motion was passed as a stop gap measure until the industry can return to a mandatory checkoff.
“We’re all in the same boat, we should all contribute,” said Wolter.
The board is also recommending the creation of a cattle industry leaders forum, which would have representation from all major cattle organizations in Alberta. The proposed forum would replace the cattle industry council but not the cow calf council and the cattle feeder council.
ABP is also recommending setting a 60-day limit to submit documents for a service charge refund request. Some requests for checkoffs are two years old.
The ABP is also recommending collecting checkoffs on export cattle. Animals heading directly to the United States don’t pay the $3 per head checkoff.
“There is slippage in direct-to-slaughter cattle,” said Dave Solverson, chair of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association.
The recommendations will be discussed at the organization’s meeting in December and implemented by June.
