Washington Senate Passes Beef Checkoff Increase to House

The Washington Senate voted Thursday to raise the beef checkoff.

Senate Bill 5150 would increase the per-head fee for selling cattle to $3 from $1.50. The entire increase would go to the Washington Beef Commission, increasing its share to $2.50 from $1. The national Beef Board receives 50 cents.

The state Beef Commission is one of 21 agricultural commissions in Washington, and the only one that has assessments set by legislators. The checkoff was last raised in 2001.