Congressional legislators from twelve states have addressed a joint letter to Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture, calling for a referendum on the Beef Checkoff program. In operation for 35 years the program has received criticism from ranchers who object to the compulsory levy of $1 per animal sold without perceiving a benefit. Farmers also complain that there is minimal representation in deciding on promotional expenditure coupled with wastage of funds and 
mismanagement. To date, R-CALF has organized a petition to force a referendum on the continuation of the Beef Checkoff program.
The current impasse has implications for other commodity checkoff programs. To be accepted and receive the support of their constituencies producers must recognize that their contributions support demand and hence prices. We are fortunate that the AEB has strong producer participation and operates with transparency advancing consumer education, promotion, product development and research.