South Dakota State Representative Liz May recently published an editorial criticizing the mandatory beef checkoff and supporting the federal Opportunities for Fairness in Farming Act. The OFF Act calls for increased transparency and accountability in all commodity checkoff programs. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association Vice President Craig Bieber responded by saying there is a lot of misinformation being put out by the opponents of the beef checkoff. Bieber defends the beef checkoff investment. “You know, we utilize more of the carcass these days and we put more of the carcass in a position to get higher premiums; that helps justify processors to pay more back to the cow-calf producer.” Bieber, who ranches in north-central South Dakota, believes the OFF Act is being backed by activist groups that want to shut down the checkoff program. While the beef checkoff program may not be perfect, Bieber said it works for cattle producers.
