"What this Nebraska Cattlemen policy says, is that beef producers are in control of any changes to the Checkoff," said NC executive vice president Michael Kelsey.

The Nebraska Cattlemen policy calls for four modifications:

1. Allow more non-profit producer groups to contract to provide beef checkoff programs or services.
   
2. Allow beef producers to more easily petition for a referendum on continuing the Beef Checkoff Program.
   
3. Provide beef producers the opportunity to petition for a referendum on increasing the Beef Checkoff.
   
4. Allow checkoff dollars be used to promote U.S. beef; currently no country can be specified in the promotion efforts.

NC President Larry Smith said members approved the policy because the Beef Checkoff Program has planned, carried out and evaluated effective and successful beef demand building strategies for 20 years. "The Beef Checkoff Program is consistently supported by more than 70 percent of beef producers, but there have been no modifications to the Beef Act and or Order since the program was adopted in 1986," Smith said.

He added, "While members support the program, they believe it can be improved. I fully agree and am proud that Nebraska Cattlemen is taking the lead by being the first cattle producer group to develop and promote this position. We will be working to get the modifications adopted at the NCBA Convention in February and then approved by Congress

Source: NTV