checkoff information and forms
By law, all producers selling (bovine) cattle or calves, for any reason and regardless of age or sex, must pay $1-per-head to support beef/veal promotion, research and information through the Beef Promotion and Research Act created by the 1985 Farm Bill.
Fifty cents of each checkoff dollar is sent directly to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board; the remaining money is allocated for state beef promotion efforts by the OBC Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of representatives who are appointed by agricultural organizations within the state or by the Chairman of the Oklahoma House and Senate Agriculture Committees.
The OBC is a Qualified State Beef Council and a member of the Federation of State Beef Councils.
What Beef and Dairy Producers Need to Know
Who pays the checkoff dollar?
All beef, dairy and veal producers. Any producer selling cattle must pay the dollar.
Isn't the dollar collected only when cattle are sold for slaughter?
No. The $1.00-per-head checkoff is due each time an animal is sold, regardless of its age or purpose. This means feeder cattle and stockers, as well as fed cattle, are subject to the checkoff. Breeding stock and dairy cows sold into other herds, whether privately or at auction, are also subject to the checkoff. An animal will probably be checked-off more than once during its lifetime.
Is anyone exempt from paying the checkoff?
No. As of October 1, 1996, as stated in the Beef Promotion and Research Act and Order, anyone selling cattle and calves is required by federal law to remit the dollar checkoff. Special allowances are made for buyers who resell cattle no more than 10 days after purchasing them. In these cases, a "Certification of Non-Producer Status" form must be filed for each transaction.
How do I remit checkoff dollars, and when is payment due?
Check with your state beef council for a private treaty form or e-mail us for specific information. Your state beef council also provides "Collection Points" with remittance forms used to keep track of checkoff dollars and cattle transactions. Collection Points include auction markets, order buyers, livestock dealers and packers. Remittance forms and payments are due by the 15th day of the month following the transaction.
What oversight is in place to protect my investment in the Beef Checkoff?
The Oklahoma Beef Council Board of Directors is a board of beef and dairy producer volunteers all who pay the Beef Checkoff. To ensure the integrity of the Beef Checkoff in Oklahoma, we take the following steps:
Undergoes annual independent audits with a regional accounting firm
Institutes an Audit/Risk committee with an independent advisor to the committee with significant audit experience
Contracts with a third-party accounting firm with circulating accountants for all accounting services
Utilizes a five-step review process for monthly financials
Regularly reviews bank statements received from the bank against online bank statements
Employs a director of compliance to provide oversight of beef checkoff collections