The California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) and many of its members are in favor of a bill making its way through the California Legislature that would allow the creation of the California Cattle Council. SB965 would allow a referendum where cattle producers could decide to create the new council, funded by a $1-per-head assessment on all cattle sold. The new organization would be focused on issues related to dairy and beef cattle production, unlike the Beef Checkoff-funded California Beef Council that is focused on beef promotion and research.
Like the Beef Checkoff, the assessment for the new and separate organization would be collected at the point of sale, but all of the funds collected for the Cattle Council will be kept in the state. The Beef Checkoff requires that at least 50 cents of each dollar collected be sent to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board.
SB965 was introduced by Sen. Mike McGuire (D-2) earlier this year and was voted out of the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 7 with a “do pass” recommendation to the full Senate. This followed a unanimous vote of support by the Senate Agriculture Committee on April 3.
The measure is expected to be considered by the full Senate this month or in early June. Dave Daley, president of CCA, said he expects the bill to pass and advance to the General Assembly.
Daley emphasized that the SB965, even if passed and signed by the governor, does not itself create the California Cattle Council. Instead, it provides the opportunity for a referendum for cattle producers to voice their support or opposition to creating the council.
Justin Oldfield, vice president, government affairs for CCA, told WLJ that his organization has received numerous letters of support from county cattlemen’s associations and over 350 individual letters of support. Oldfield noted that all money collected by the Cattle Council would be fully refundable upon request and without prejudice.
The Cattle Council would be made up of producers with oversight from the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Daley told WLJ, “We would have a lot of autonomy in promotion, education and research. Funds are not to be used for lobbying or legal matters; just those three things. We really think our members are looking for something that will help with issues of water, predators and fire and other things that we deal with that the Beef Council can’t work on simply by the way the USDA and federal law works.”
The funding would be used for research of all types of beef and dairy production and not limited to one segment and would not promote one production method or type of cattle over another.
If passed, the referendum is required to take place prior to June 1, 2020. Oldfield said the law would provide the opportunity for two votes, and if both fail, the law would be repealed.
Daley and Oldfield are both optimistic that the measure will receive a positive nod from state lawmakers, and also from cattle producers. — Rae Price, WLJ editor
