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Central Alberta beef producers mostly in support of change to check0ff

Non-refundable checkoff system seems to have a lot of support by area producers
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A change to the checkoff that would create a new development fund is up for a vote this month with most members seeming to be in favour of the changes. Black Press file photo

The potential move toward a non-refundable checkoff was among the discussions during recent Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) zone meetings across the province.

The proposal, which would dramatically change the way both of Alberta’s major cattle organizations are funded, was not so overly contested at the zone six ABP meeting Oct. 25 at the Ponoka Legion. ABP members were also eligible to vote that evening in the plebiscite on the proposal.

Aside from the big change in making the $2 provincial checkoff non-refundable, how the checkoff money is split will also see a major restructuring.

Currently of the $2 the ABP receives 72 cents, 53 cents goes to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and a nickel goes to back to remitters such as auction markets. The other 70 cents is refund eligible.

If the plebiscite passes, the checkoff would see that 70 cents split — 25 cents going to the Alberta Cattle Feeders Association (AFCA), five cents to the ABP and the remaining 40 cents put into a newly established Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund.

Zone 6 chairperson, Tim Sekura, who runs a beef cattle operation near Drayton Valley, explained the idea behind the change is to move toward better development and research potential for the benefit of the entire industry.

“Generally, what we’ve heard is that most of the ABP membership is supportive of the proposed change,” Sekura said, noting that much of the current refund portion goes back to large feedlot operations and not regular producers.

Sekura added going to a fully non-refundable checkoff would benefit all producers as more money would be available to continue product development, improve operational practices and further push research and innovation.