Limited promotion in Montana

As previously reported in WLJ, (July 3 and Aug. 21, 2017), the future of beef promotion in Montana using checkoff dollars remains uncertain. The Montana Beef Council’s fiscal year begins Oct. 1, but due to a court ruling money collected cannot be retained for use in the state unless producers consent. Kori Anderson, manager of communications, Montana Stockgrowers Association, told WLJ that there were some retained earnings prior to the June 21 preliminary injunction that will allow the Montana Beef Council to continue to operate for a few months into the new fiscal year. She noted, “It’s important to remember that the beef checkoff is a federal law, so the beef checkoff collection has not stopped. Checkoff dollars still need to be remitted, however they are all going to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board until producers sign the consent forms to bring the funds back to Montana.” There are approximately 45,000 beef producers in the state in Montana, and as of last Tuesday, 442 had signed consent forms agreeing to have their funds returned for in-state beef promotions, according to Anderson.