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Alberta cattle producers being asked to approve check-off changes

ABP and ACFA hoping new agreement on redistributed check-off will get membership approval
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While not as controversial as an increase, ABP members are being asked to vote on whether or not to have the cattle check-off refundable based upon a new agreed upon redistribution of the money raised. File photo

It’s a subject that always generates much debate and controversy among cattle producers.

Three years ago, membership of the Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) were asked if they were in favour of doubling the national check-off and now cattle producers are being looked at to vote on changes to the provincial check-off.

The issue at hand is whether or not any of the $2 check-off should be refundable — a topic that has been at the forefront of discussions among the ABP membership for several years. However, a legislative change by the provincial government has made it possible to have the check-off be non-refundable.

Of the ABP portion, 53 cents would support the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and five cents to check-off remitters. There would also be an option for producers that don’t want the 25 cents going to the ACFA, instead that money would be put toward the ABIDF.

What that means is, instead of refunds that have amounted to about $20 million since 2010 — going back mostly to feedlot and big business operations, around $1.4 million per year would be put into the new fund.

“This plebiscite represents an enormous opportunity for producers and our industry,” said ABP chair Charlie Christie, in a press release.

“Producers have the chance to decide how their commission should be funded and the industry has the chance to invest another $2.2 to $2.5 million annually in strategic projects to make it stronger.”

The vote comes on the heels of discussions between the ABP and the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association (ACFA) on an agreed distribution of the proposed non-refundable check-off and the creation of a new fund — the Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund (ABIDF).

It’s for these reasons, explained ACFA chair Ryan Kasko, that his group supports this vote.

“ABP and ACFA have committed to working together on trade challenges, farm safety issues, investing in research and many other important issues facing the cattle industry,” said Kasko in a release.

Members are being asked to verify their preference in a plebiscite with voting to take place at all of 27 of the organization’s regional fall meetings, slated to be held across the province between Oct. 22 and Nov. 7. Members can also vote by mail or in person at any of Agriculture Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) offices in Alberta from Oct. 19 to Nov. 13.

Members will receive information about the plebiscite over the next couple of weeks with area members able to participate through meetings set for Oct. 23 in Camrose and Oct. 25 in Ponoka.

More information on the proposal as well as list of regional meetings is available by heading to www.albertabeef.org or contacting an ABP zone representative.



jordie.dwyer@ponokanews.com

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