Iowa beef checkoff passes with 56% approval

Fifty-six percent of Iowa cattle producers voted in November to create a state checkoff program that will generate up to $1.6 million annually, the Iowa Department of Agriculture said.  Producers will pay 50 cents per head of cattle to support the state checkoff. The money will be used to promote Iowa beef, fund production research, expand international markets, consumer education and other activities, the Iowa Cattlemen's Association says. “We are very pleased with the results of the referendum," said Phil Reemtsma, a veterinarian and president of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. "Reinstating our state checkoff has been a priority mission for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association over the last year, and we've been encouraged at each step in the process by the input and support of producers around the state.”