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Checkoff Structure
The Beef Promotion and Research Act outlines the specific responsibilities of the organizations that comprise the checkoff structure.
- View the Checkoff Structure Graphic
- Beef Board: Created by the Beef Promotion and Research Act to administer the beef checkoff program, the Beef Board consists of 111 members nominated by state producer organizations and importers, all of who are then appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture based on the number of cattle in their state. Duties include certification of state beef councils, evaluation of programs, annual budget approval and overseeing the collection of the $1-per-head beef checkoff. Administrative costs for the Beef Board are capped at 5 percent. The Beef Board selects ten of its members to serve on the Operating Committee.
- State Beef Councils: State councils collect the $1-per-head checkoff and retain control of 50 cents of every dollar to conduct and implement programs in each state that are consistent with the Beef Promotion and Research Act. The councils may invest a portion of their 50 cents in national and international programs. Together, as a federation, states select ten members to serve on the operating committee.
- Operating Committee: Also created by the Beef Promotion and Research Act, the Operating Committee reviews and approves national checkoff programs and contracts with national industry-governed organizations, such as National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, to implement programs. Through the Operating Committee, the entire dollar comes together in a coordinated state/national program. Checkoff programs are conducted on a cost-recovery basis. Contractors may not profit from the work they do on behalf of the beef checkoff.
The contractors that receive checkoff dollars from the Operating Committee to carry out checkoff programs are:
- National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (www.beef.org): This group is the primary contractor for checkoff programs. It was created in 1996 by merging functions of the National Cattlemen’s Association and the Beef Industry Council of the National Livestock and Meat Board. The membership-funded policy efforts of the NCBA remain distinct and separate from the checkoff-funded programs. By law, no checkoff dollars can be used for lobbying.
- U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.usmef.org): This is a non-profit trade association working to identify and develop international markets for U.S. beef, veal and other red meats. Headquartered in Denver, Colo., USMEF maintains a global network of 13 foreign offices and international representatives around the world. It conducts programs with funds from the beef checkoff, other commodity checkoffs, government Market Access Program funds, and membership dues.
- American National CattleWomen (www.ancw.org): ANCW’s primary focus is promotion and consumer education of beef as a safe and nutritious food and the production of beef cattle as an industry. ANCW is the sponsor and project leader of the National Beef Cook-Off in cooperation with NCBA and the Beef Board.
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