Beef Checkoff

Dear Editor,

As a past Nebraska Beef Council (NBC) board member and chairman, and current Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) director from Nebraska, I felt compelled to address some of the information I have seen in the papers lately regarding how the Beef Checkoff is invested and overseen.

First of all, the Beef Checkoff has very strict rules and the NBC each year is audited by a third-party auditor, their marketing plan is approved by CBB and I am confident that in the past and today that our checkoff dollars are being invested to help beef producers and to build beef demand that is important to our profitability.

Board members know from the start that the Beef Checkoff can only be used for promotion, research and education and no lobbying or political expenditures are allowed.

As for the NCBA compliance review that was conducted, where mistakes were made they are being corrected and NCBA and CBB are working together to do so.

As a rancher and someone who believes in the checkoff, I encourage all producers to learn more about our state beef council and the great work they do. Now more than ever, we need our Nebraska checkoff dollars to market our product and enhance our image to consumers where they live, shop and eat.

Let's come together and work for the betterment of our industry and ultimately our future!!

Sincerely,

Lindy Whipps

Cow-calf producer

Max