R CALF leaders are defending their position calling for reform of the beef checkoff following by allegations by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association of them attacking the program. R CALF CEO Bill Bullard says importers have been taking a large share of the U.S. market away from America’s cattle producers.

He says the checkoff needs to be changed so that American produced beef is protected from being displaced by beef from other countries.

Bullard says by winning their case in court in Montana they’ve now expanded their push for beef checkoff reform to several other states.

Bullard says their group’s members in other states object to being required to turn over their hard earned money to fund private speech with which they disagree and cannot influence.