Guelph, ON) – The Beef Farmers of Ontario (BFO) is pleased that its membership supported the $1.00 increase in provincial check-off. The Association is committed to continuing to use these valuable dollars to develop and support programs and services that help farmers, and to help move the beef industry forward sustainably and profitably.
Effective November 1, 2014, check-off will be increased from $3.00 per head to $4.00 per head. Of this, $3.00 will remain in Ontario to fund BFO and $1.00 will be forwarded to the national agency to fund marketing and research.
"There are programs and services that the Board of Directors would like to continue to deliver including support for the popular Sharecost program and support for the Ontario Corn Fed Beef program," shares Bob Gordanier, BFO President. "More dollars will allow us to maintain the delivery of these programs that benefit beef farmers in the province."
The increase was brought forward by BFO to its membership in February of 2014. Voting delegates at BFO's Annual General Meeting overwhelmingly (77%) endorsed the proposed increase of $1.00 to the provincial portion of the check-off fee. BFO then formally requested that the Ontario Farm Products Marketing Commission amend Regulation 54 of the Beef Cattle Marketing Act. "We thank our membership for recognizing the importance of the increase. The decline in cattlenumbers over the years has put pressure on the resources available to our Association," says Gordanier. "The increase in funding is vital to BFO's efforts to enhance the industry and to help facilitate growth and opportunities for our farmers."
Under Regulation 54 of the Beef Cattle Marketing Act, a compulsory check-off on per head sold by cattle farmers is payable to BFO to fund the Association. Packing plant operators, auction market operators and livestock dealers are required to deduct the check-off from the proceeds payable to the seller and remit check-off fees to BFO. Breeding stock, cull dairy cows, bob calves and veal calves are included. Exemptions only exist for cattle sold for the production of milk.
BFO members are encouraged to visit www.ontariobeef.com to view BFO's Report Card, a five year review of their check-off dollars at work.
Source: BFO