Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off To Increase April 1

Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) has announced that effective April 1, the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off Agency will begin collecting the increased Canadian Beef Cattle Check Off of $2.50 per head

by Cory Knutt – Steinbach Online

A resolution to support the increase from $1 to $2.50 was passed at the 37th Manitoba Beef Producers Annual General Meeting in February of 2016.

MBP President Ben Fox said the increase was deemed necessary by the industry to support the goals laid out in the National Beef Strategy. Released in 2015, the National Beef Strategy is based around four pillars – connectivity, productivity, competitiveness and beef demand.

“The benefit-cost ratio of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off was calculated at returning $14 to the industry for every $1 that was invested”

 

“The increase is needed to support the strategy which, we believe, will ultimately lead to a stronger industry for our producers here in Manitoba,” Fox said.

Canadian Beef Check-Off Agency General Manager Melinda German said the increase will be invested into market development, promotion and research initiatives that will continue to advance the Canadian beef industry as a whole. She added that studies show producers have received a strong return on their check-off investment and can expect that to continue into the future.

“The benefit-cost ratio of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off was calculated at returning $14 to the industry for every $1 that was invested between 2011 and 2014. This is incredible value for the $1 check-off, and we expect to continue seeing a high rate of return for the industry with an increased check-off across the country,” she said.

MBP’s provincial check-off of $3 per head will not be increasing. General Manager Brian Lemon said that provincial check-off is used to fund MBP’s work on behalf of its members as well as the association’s membership in national organizations such as the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattle Feeders Association.

“These check-offs, whether it’s our provincial check-off or the national check-off, enable us to market our member’s product, support research and to advocate with governments and other organizations on the industry’s behalf,” Lemon said.

© 2018 The Canadian Press