Minnesota beef check-off price increase proposed

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Beef Research and Promotion Council (MBRPC) is proposing a voluntary beef check-off price increase of $1.00 per head.  It’s been more than a decade since the last referendum request to garner more funds to support the council’s efforts to increase value for beef producers.  The current $1.00 per head check-off is split evenly between state and national beef promotion councils.  The proposed increase would remain in the state for Minnesota promotion efforts.

Cattle owners selling their livestock in Minnesota would be eligible to receive a refund of the automatic $1.00 per head increase if the referendum passes and they request it after the sale of their cattle.  The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is holding information hearings across the state on December 5, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. via videoconference.  Here, producers will have a chance to review the proposal and share their feedback before the February, 2014 mail ballot election.

If you’d like a ballot you can request it from the MDA’s website, you can also request a ballot from the MBRPC.  The videoconference will be held at the following locations:

Willmar: MN Dept. of Human Services 2200 23rd Street NE Willmar, MN 56201	Brainerd: Central Lakes College, Room C224 501 College Drive W Brainerd, MN 56401	Rochester: Olmsted County EMD 1421 3rd Ave S, Basement Room Rochester, MN 55904
Detroit Lakes: Becker County Human Services 712 Minnesota Avenue Detroit Lakes, MN 56502	Marshall: Southwest HHS, Suite 100 607 W Main Street Marshall, MN 56258	Red Lake Falls: MN Wheat RPC 2600 Wheat Drive Red Lake Falls, MN 56750
Mankato: MN Dept. of Health Mankato Place 12 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 2105 Mankato, MN 56001	St. Paul: MN Dept. of Agriculture 625 Robert Street N St. Paul, MN 55155