Eastern Iowa Farmer Spring 2017

particular to Iowa,” he said, adding that a
lot of cattle research at the national level is
done in southern areas of the United States.
“It’s not bad information but it’s not
as specific for us. We have more weather
fluctuations throughout the year than the
southern states.
Research conducted
in Iowa would give
us some different
information that’s a
little more real-life,”
he said.
The Iowa Beef
Industry Council
will administer
the funds through
Chris Freland
a 10-member
executive committee.
Federal law
prohibits the council from lobbying or
influencing public policy that deals with
national or state checkoffs. It did not take
part in the vote.
All of the committee-based decisions
will be made in Iowa, Freland said, but
if there are outside opportunities to drive
beef demand, the money can be spent out
of state.
The money is absolutely intended to help
Iowa producers, she said, so if that means
“When you consider what three decades’ worth of
inflation have done to the dollar, it becomes even
more important to look at the future and what we
might need to enhance the industry moving forward.”
— chris freland
taking a chance to potentially invest in an
international opportunity, that is a valid use
of the funds.
At the time of sale, sellers will be
responsible for a total of $1.50 per head
for both the state and national checkoffs.
The national checkoff will continue to be
non-refundable.
Those who sell cattle privately are still
required to remit the checkoff, Freland
said. For information about forms for
selling cattle privately or requesting a
state checkoff refund, go to the Iowa Beef
Industry Council’s website: iabeef.org
and click on “producer resources.” For a
refund, sellers must fill out the form and
show proof of sale and a receipt for the
checkoff collected.
The process shouldn’t add hassle for
those selling cattle privately because
they’ve been required to do this at the
national level all along, Peters said.
The checkoff has the potential to do
great things, he said, but it also serves
those who might not want to contribute.
“If people feel strongly against it, they
can get a return, no questions asked,”
Peters said. “Or, if people think it’s a good
idea, the opportunity is there for people to
provide funds toward it.”
A state checkoff is already mandatory in
many states across the country, including
Illinois, Texas, North Dakota, North Carolina,
Alabama and Tennessee.
“In June, we plan to have a statewide
strategic planning session for key stakeholders
who have an interest in the Iowa
beef industry in order to garner great
ideas for future use of the funds moving
forward,” Freland said. n
— deven king,
eastern iowa farmer
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spring 2017 | Eastern Iowa Farmer 91