Thirty two Agricultural groups, including South Dakota Stock Growers, sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack and to leaders of the House and Senate Ag Committees asking them to reject the dollar increase in the Beef Check Off advocated by a working group. South Dakota Stock Grower’s President Bob Fortune says they also want an investigation into what they see as unlawful use of beef check off funds.
Fortune says the major problem with the beef check off is that it needs to be separated from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.
Fortune who served for two years on the Federation of Beef Councils says there is value to the beef check off but changes need to be made in how it’s implemented.
Joining Stock Growers in the Coalition calling for the investigation are Nebraska Farmers Union, and R CALF as well as 29 other organizations.
