The United States District Court of Montana has ruled in favor of the USDA and the Montana Beef Council over a challenge against the beef checkoff brought by R-CALF. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s CEO Colin Woodall praised the court’s decision which showed the beef checkoff is working correctly with the proper oversight.

He says even if the court decision is appealed, it isn’t likely to be overturned.

Woodall says in their ruling the U.S. District Court said there wasn’t any misappropriation of funds in the beef checkoff and that it has been operating properly.

The legal battle over the beef checkoff had gone on for more than three years. Woodall says during that time the case threatened local input and promotion efforts at the state level across the country.