The USDA’s Ag Marketing Service has proposed changes to the Beef Check off. R-CALF CEO Bill Bullard says it’s basically a cosmetic change that does nothing to address concerns they have with the checkoff as outlined in their lawsuit against USDA.

He says the changes AMS is talking about would let producers request their assessment be sent to a certified state board or the national checkoff.

Bullard says R-CALF is backing Senate Bill 3200 that would change the Beef Checkoff from a mandatory program to a voluntary one.

He says they’re also backing another Senate measure, S 3201 that would reform the beef checkoff, make it more transparent, and require an audit every five years. Both Senate measures are being carried by Mike Lee of Utah and Cory Booker of New Jersey.