Beef cattle levy increasing by next spring in Canada

Oct 05, 2017

National Check-Off Organization suggests rise of $1.50

By Kate Ayers

Staff Reporter

The Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off is to increase to $2.50 from $1.00 per cow across most of the country by next spring.

The Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) receives the research portion of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off. Although the levy is set to increase by $1.50, each province decides the amount they pay to the national fund, according to a FortSask online article on Tuesday.

“The increase amount is to allow us to focus more on research within our own industry. It also allows us to get that research out to producers, so that they’re seeing their money is being well-spent, and learning from what we are learning,” said Bryan Thiessen, BCRC chair, in the article.

Thiessen noted that producers are supportive of the change, as current finances are inadequate to conduct research in the beef industry, and greater investment is needed to attract government funding.

BCRC will put the check-off money toward improving food safety, animal health and safety, forage and grassland productivity, among many other projects, the article stated.

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