Checkoff
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The decades old beef checkoff program is ill-suited to meet the needs of today’s cattle farmers and ranchers, in fact, the program promotes corporate control and globalization over the interests of America’s cattle producers.

Latest Checkoff News Highlights

For Immediate Release By: R-CALF USA Marketing Director Jaiden Moreland Contact: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com  
For Immediate Release: August 31, 2023 Contact: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com   Please find below R-CALF
For Immediate Release: July 6, 2023 Contact: R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard Phone: 406-252-2516; r-calfusa@r-calfusa.com   Please find below R-CALF

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Press Release Court in Beef Checkoff Case Grants R-CALF USA’s Motion for Over $150K in Attorney Fees and Costs February 10, 2021

Checkoff Petition for Referendum on the Beef Promotion and Research Order 

Checkoff Case US District Court Order Granting R-CALF USA’s Motion for Attorney Fees February 10, 2021

Checkoff Case R-CALF USA’s Beef Checkoff Complaint filed in U.S. District Court September 11, 2020

Checkoff Case Motion for Summary Judgment May 20, 2019

Checkoff Case Brief Supporting the Motion for Summary Judgment May 20, 2019

Checkoff Case Statement of Undisputed Facts May 20, 2019

150403 Hanging Poster Final

For Nebraska:  Downloadable form to have all checkoff dollars go to national.

Checkofff Lawsuit Info:

Findings and Recommendations of United States Magistrate Judge John Johnston – Judgement on Preliminary Injunction December 12, 2016

R-CALF USA’s Response to Govern, ment’s Objection to TRO (Dkt. No. 30) September 14, 2016

U.S. Government’s Motion Objecting TRO (Dkt No. 29) September 13, 2016

R-CALF USA Memo Supporting temporary restraining order (TRO) (Dkt. No. 28) September 12, 2016

R-CALF USA’s Motion (Dkt. No. 22) August 24, 2016

Government’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 19-1 Notes) Aug 4, 2016

R-CALF USA’s Filed Complaint – Checkoff Lawsuit  May 2, 2016

Support Checkoff Reform!!

Joint Letter Supporting Checkoff Reform July 14, 2016

  • Reform Checkoff Legislation/Commodity Checkoff Program Improvement Act of 2016:
    • Prohibit lobbying groups from contracting for checkoff dollars
    • Prohibit conflicts of interest within checkoff programs
    • Prohibit using checkoff funds to disparage other products
    • Require greater transparency regarding checkoff spending
    • Require regular audits
  • Freedom to Farm Act July 13, 2016
    • Requires all checkoff programs to be voluntary

Missouri Beef Checkoff Petition for Rulemaking September 10, 2015

Joint Checkoff Letter to Ag Committees and Sec Vilsack (PDF 543K) March 16, 2015

Proposal to Increase Beef Checkoff Proposal to Increase Beef Checkoff (PDF 64K) January 14, 2015

R-CALF USA Comments to USDA regarding Checkoff Notice (Possibility of New Checkoff)  (PDF 342K) December 10, 2014

Organization for Competitive Markets vs. Office of Inspector General Complaint  (PDF 162K) November 12, 2014

Letter to Secretary Vilsack Requirements for New Checkoff November 3, 2014 (PDF 174K)

R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack Complaint Against NCBA Lobbying  October 16, 2014 (PDF 217K)

 NCBA Letter to Vilsack Regarding Checkoff October 14, 2014 (PDF 75K)

Joint Checkoff Letter to Secretary Vilsack September 11, 2014 (PDF 167K)

Federation Conflict of Interest Policy August 6, 2014 (PDF 77K)

Letter From USDA Regarding Checkoff July 7, 2014 (PDF 590K)

USDA Response to Wendy’s Complaint April 28, 2014 (PDF 48K)

Ohio Checkoff Ballot and Info

R-CALF USA Renewed Complaint and Request for Remedial Action (PDF 74K) March 12, 2014

Complaint Request Investigation Into Unlawful Use Beef Checkoff Dollars (PDF 192K) February 12, 2014

Response from Deputy Inspector General (PDF 3 MB) January 31, 2014

OIG Corrected Audit Report (PDF  649) January 31, 2014

Complaint and Request for Investigation of Unlawful Checkoff Activities (PDF 228K) November 11, 2013

Sign the Petition: Immediately and permanently terminate all contracts between the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Beef Checkoff Program. July 11, 2013 (PDF 157K)

R-CALF USA Letter to Office of Inspector General (OIG) Request for Corrections May 9, 2013 (PDF 100K)

Exhibit 1 – R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack on April 5, 2013Exhibit 2 – Letter to R-CALF USA from OIG on April 19, 2013Exhibit 3 – Letter to Secretary Vilsack on Aug. 28, 2012
Exhibit 4 – Letter to R-CALF USA from Sec. Vilsack on October 3, 2012Exhibit 5 – 2010 Independent Accountant Report Cattlemen’s Beef BoardExhibit 6 –Response from Rayne Pegg Administrator USDA, AMS on Feb. 2, 2011
Exhibit 7 – CBB, NCBA Compliance Review ResolutionsExhibit 8 – Joint Letter Regarding the Misuse of Checkoff Funds on Aug. 4, 2010Exhibit 9 – E-mail to Don Pfeil on March 11, 2011
Exhibit 9.1 – ISEF Board Directory on Jan. 30, 2011Exhibit 9.2 – Joint Checkoff Letter to Vilsack, Holder and Fong on April 10, 2008Exhibit 9.3 – R-CALF USA Letter to USDA and DOJ Regarding Misuse of Funds on Jan. 17, 2011
Exhibit 9.4 – NCBA Political AdvertisementsExhibit 9.5 – Supplement to R-CALF USA Letter to USDA and DOJExhibit 9.6 – R-CALF USA letter and Request for Investigation
Exhibit 10 – Don Pfeil Business CardExhibit 11 – E-mail to Don Pfeil April 12, 2011Exhibit 11.1 –Attachement to E-mail to Don Pfeil on April 12, 2011
Exhibit 12 – Another e-mail to Don Pfeil on August 18, 2011Exhibit 12.1 – Attachment to E-mail to Don Pfeil on August 18, 2011Exhibit 13 – Letter From CBB Response to R-CALF USA’s Letter

R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack Regarding Checkoff Audit Whitewash April 5, 2013 (PDF 58K)

R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding Conflict of Interest November 21, 2012 (PDF 50K)

R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding the Checkoff Audit October 12, 2012 (PDF 50K)

R-CALF USA’s Checkoff Committee Chair Joel Gill’s Letter to the Beef Checkoff Industry Input Group October 4, 2012 (PDF 57K)

Secretary Vilsack’s Letter to R-CALF USA October 3, 2012 (PDF 461K)

R-CALF USA’s FOIA Request to USDA September 20, 2012 (PDF 48K)

R-CALF USA’s Letter to Secretary Vilsack and Craig Shackelford September 20, 2012 (PDF 50K)

R-CALF USA’s Response Letter to Beef Checkoff Industry Input Group September 19, 2012 (PDF 50K)

Beef Checkoff Industry Input Group Letter to Joel Gill, R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair September 17, 2012 (PDF 57K)

R-CALF USA’s Letter to Secretary Vilsack August 28, 2012 (PDF 60K)

Amended Checkoff Complaint (Checkoff Lawsuit Plantiff Mike Callicrate vs. United States Department of Agriculture, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board, Beef Promotion Operating Committee and Agricultural Marketing Service) August 17, 2012 (PDF 82K)

Checkoff Lawsuit Plantiff Mike Callicrate vs. United States Department of Agriculture, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board, Beef Promotion Operating Committee and Agricultural Marketing Service August 9, 2012 (PDF 572K)

R-CALF USA’s Comments regarding USDA’s Proposed Checkoff Reform May 1, 2012 (PDF 56K)

R-CALF USA’s Letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding a Checkoff Affiliation August 22, 2011 (PDF 67K)

R-CALF USA’s Response to Cattlemen’s Beef Board Aug. 10, 2011 Letter August 18, 2011 (PDF 51K)

Cattlemen’s Beef Board Letter in Response to R-CALF USA’s Feb. 3 Letter August 10, 2011 (PDF 501K)

R-CALF USA Affiliate, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association’s Letter to Chairwomen Debbie Stabenow July 1, 2011 (PDF 105K)

R-CALF USA’s Letter to Chairwomen Debbie Stabenow June 30, 2011 (PDF 48K)

R-CALF USA’s Letter to Cattlemen’s Beef Board Chair Tom Jones April 14, 2011 (PDF 40K)

R-CALF USA’s Letter to USDA and Department of Justice Specific Dates of Possible NCBA Misuse of Checkoff Dollars February 3, 2011 (PDF 584K)

Supplement to R-CALF USA’s Letter to USDA and DOJ January 20, 2011 (PDF 110K)

R-CALF USA’s Letter to USDA and Department of Justice regarding the Misuse of Checkoff Dollars January 17, 2011 (PDF 67K)

Joint Letter: Urgent Request to Protect Against Misuse of Beef Checkoff Funds August 4, 2010 (PDF)

Joint Letter to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and United States Department of Agriculture June 25, 2010 (PDF 14 K)

R-CALF USA’s Letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding the Checkoff May 24, 2010 (PDF 42K)

Information between NCBA and the CBB October 31 2009 – December 8, 2009 (PDF 1.4 MB)

R-CALF USA letter (to Joel Gill) from Monte Reese; April 2, 2007 (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 852K)

R-CALF USA letter (from Joel Gill) to Monte Reese; March 14. 2007 (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 10.4K)

R-CALF USA letter from Monte Reese; February 9, 2007 (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 649K)

R-CALF USA’s formal recommendations to the Industry Wide Beef Checkoff Task Force  (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 65K)

R-CALF USA’s Beef Checkoff Resolutions  (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 60K)

Industry Wide Beef Checkoff Task Force Draft Recommendations  (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 409K)

 
Soybean Checkoff Referendum Procedure  (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 641K)
Press Release Court in Beef Checkoff Case Grants R-CALF USA’s Motion for Over $150K in Attorney Fees and Costs February 10, 2021 Checkoff Petition for Referendum on the Beef Promotion and Research Order  Checkoff Case US District Court Order Granting R-CALF USA’s Motion for Attorney Fees February 10, 2021 Checkoff Case R-CALF USA’s Beef Checkoff Complaint filed in U.S. District Court September 11, 2020 Checkoff Case Motion for Summary Judgment May 20, 2019 Checkoff Case Brief Supporting the Motion for Summary Judgment May 20, 2019 Checkoff Case Statement of Undisputed Facts May 20, 2019 150403 Hanging Poster Final For Nebraska:  Downloadable form to have all checkoff dollars go to national.

Checkofff Lawsuit Info:

Findings and Recommendations of United States Magistrate Judge John Johnston – Judgement on Preliminary Injunction December 12, 2016

R-CALF USA’s Response to Govern, ment’s Objection to TRO (Dkt. No. 30) September 14, 2016

U.S. Government’s Motion Objecting TRO (Dkt No. 29) September 13, 2016

R-CALF USA Memo Supporting temporary restraining order (TRO) (Dkt. No. 28) September 12, 2016

R-CALF USA’s Motion (Dkt. No. 22) August 24, 2016

Government’s motion to dismiss (Dkt. No. 19-1 Notes) Aug 4, 2016

R-CALF USA’s Filed Complaint – Checkoff Lawsuit  May 2, 2016

Support Checkoff Reform!!

Joint Letter Supporting Checkoff Reform July 14, 2016

  • Reform Checkoff Legislation/Commodity Checkoff Program Improvement Act of 2016:
    • Prohibit lobbying groups from contracting for checkoff dollars
    • Prohibit conflicts of interest within checkoff programs
    • Prohibit using checkoff funds to disparage other products
    • Require greater transparency regarding checkoff spending
    • Require regular audits
  • Freedom to Farm Act July 13, 2016
    • Requires all checkoff programs to be voluntary

Missouri Beef Checkoff Petition for Rulemaking September 10, 2015

Joint Checkoff Letter to Ag Committees and Sec Vilsack (PDF 543K) March 16, 2015

Proposal to Increase Beef Checkoff Proposal to Increase Beef Checkoff (PDF 64K) January 14, 2015

R-CALF USA Comments to USDA regarding Checkoff Notice (Possibility of New Checkoff)  (PDF 342K) December 10, 2014

Organization for Competitive Markets vs. Office of Inspector General Complaint  (PDF 162K) November 12, 2014

Letter to Secretary Vilsack Requirements for New Checkoff November 3, 2014 (PDF 174K) R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack Complaint Against NCBA Lobbying  October 16, 2014 (PDF 217K)  NCBA Letter to Vilsack Regarding Checkoff October 14, 2014 (PDF 75K) Joint Checkoff Letter to Secretary Vilsack September 11, 2014 (PDF 167K) Federation Conflict of Interest Policy August 6, 2014 (PDF 77K) Letter From USDA Regarding Checkoff July 7, 2014 (PDF 590K) USDA Response to Wendy’s Complaint April 28, 2014 (PDF 48K) Ohio Checkoff Ballot and Info R-CALF USA Renewed Complaint and Request for Remedial Action (PDF 74K) March 12, 2014 Complaint Request Investigation Into Unlawful Use Beef Checkoff Dollars (PDF 192K) February 12, 2014 Response from Deputy Inspector General (PDF 3 MB) January 31, 2014 OIG Corrected Audit Report (PDF  649) January 31, 2014

Complaint and Request for Investigation of Unlawful Checkoff Activities (PDF 228K) November 11, 2013

Sign the Petition: Immediately and permanently terminate all contracts between the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Beef Checkoff Program. July 11, 2013 (PDF 157K) R-CALF USA Letter to Office of Inspector General (OIG) Request for Corrections May 9, 2013 (PDF 100K)
Exhibit 1 – R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack on April 5, 2013 Exhibit 2 – Letter to R-CALF USA from OIG on April 19, 2013 Exhibit 3 – Letter to Secretary Vilsack on Aug. 28, 2012
Exhibit 4 – Letter to R-CALF USA from Sec. Vilsack on October 3, 2012 Exhibit 5 – 2010 Independent Accountant Report Cattlemen’s Beef Board Exhibit 6 –Response from Rayne Pegg Administrator USDA, AMS on Feb. 2, 2011
Exhibit 7 – CBB, NCBA Compliance Review Resolutions Exhibit 8 – Joint Letter Regarding the Misuse of Checkoff Funds on Aug. 4, 2010 Exhibit 9 – E-mail to Don Pfeil on March 11, 2011
Exhibit 9.1 – ISEF Board Directory on Jan. 30, 2011 Exhibit 9.2 – Joint Checkoff Letter to Vilsack, Holder and Fong on April 10, 2008 Exhibit 9.3 – R-CALF USA Letter to USDA and DOJ Regarding Misuse of Funds on Jan. 17, 2011
Exhibit 9.4 – NCBA Political Advertisements Exhibit 9.5 – Supplement to R-CALF USA Letter to USDA and DOJ Exhibit 9.6 – R-CALF USA letter and Request for Investigation
Exhibit 10 – Don Pfeil Business Card Exhibit 11 – E-mail to Don Pfeil April 12, 2011 Exhibit 11.1 –Attachement to E-mail to Don Pfeil on April 12, 2011
Exhibit 12 – Another e-mail to Don Pfeil on August 18, 2011 Exhibit 12.1 – Attachment to E-mail to Don Pfeil on August 18, 2011 Exhibit 13 – Letter From CBB Response to R-CALF USA’s Letter
R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack Regarding Checkoff Audit Whitewash April 5, 2013 (PDF 58K) R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding Conflict of Interest November 21, 2012 (PDF 50K) R-CALF USA Letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding the Checkoff Audit October 12, 2012 (PDF 50K) R-CALF USA’s Checkoff Committee Chair Joel Gill’s Letter to the Beef Checkoff Industry Input Group October 4, 2012 (PDF 57K) Secretary Vilsack’s Letter to R-CALF USA October 3, 2012 (PDF 461K) R-CALF USA’s FOIA Request to USDA September 20, 2012 (PDF 48K) R-CALF USA’s Letter to Secretary Vilsack and Craig Shackelford September 20, 2012 (PDF 50K) R-CALF USA’s Response Letter to Beef Checkoff Industry Input Group September 19, 2012 (PDF 50K) Beef Checkoff Industry Input Group Letter to Joel Gill, R-CALF USA Checkoff Committee Chair September 17, 2012 (PDF 57K) R-CALF USA’s Letter to Secretary Vilsack August 28, 2012 (PDF 60K) Amended Checkoff Complaint (Checkoff Lawsuit Plantiff Mike Callicrate vs. United States Department of Agriculture, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board, Beef Promotion Operating Committee and Agricultural Marketing Service) August 17, 2012 (PDF 82K) Checkoff Lawsuit Plantiff Mike Callicrate vs. United States Department of Agriculture, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board, Beef Promotion Operating Committee and Agricultural Marketing Service August 9, 2012 (PDF 572K) R-CALF USA’s Comments regarding USDA’s Proposed Checkoff Reform May 1, 2012 (PDF 56K) R-CALF USA’s Letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding a Checkoff Affiliation August 22, 2011 (PDF 67K) R-CALF USA’s Response to Cattlemen’s Beef Board Aug. 10, 2011 Letter August 18, 2011 (PDF 51K) Cattlemen’s Beef Board Letter in Response to R-CALF USA’s Feb. 3 Letter August 10, 2011 (PDF 501K) R-CALF USA Affiliate, South Dakota Stockgrowers Association’s Letter to Chairwomen Debbie Stabenow July 1, 2011 (PDF 105K) R-CALF USA’s Letter to Chairwomen Debbie Stabenow June 30, 2011 (PDF 48K) R-CALF USA’s Letter to Cattlemen’s Beef Board Chair Tom Jones April 14, 2011 (PDF 40K) R-CALF USA’s Letter to USDA and Department of Justice Specific Dates of Possible NCBA Misuse of Checkoff Dollars February 3, 2011 (PDF 584K) Supplement to R-CALF USA’s Letter to USDA and DOJ January 20, 2011 (PDF 110K) R-CALF USA’s Letter to USDA and Department of Justice regarding the Misuse of Checkoff Dollars January 17, 2011 (PDF 67K) Joint Letter: Urgent Request to Protect Against Misuse of Beef Checkoff Funds August 4, 2010 (PDF) Joint Letter to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and United States Department of Agriculture June 25, 2010 (PDF 14 K) R-CALF USA’s Letter to Secretary Vilsack regarding the Checkoff May 24, 2010 (PDF 42K) Information between NCBA and the CBB October 31 2009 – December 8, 2009 (PDF 1.4 MB) R-CALF USA letter (to Joel Gill) from Monte Reese; April 2, 2007 (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 852K) R-CALF USA letter (from Joel Gill) to Monte Reese; March 14. 2007 (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 10.4K) R-CALF USA letter from Monte Reese; February 9, 2007 (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 649K) R-CALF USA’s formal recommendations to the Industry Wide Beef Checkoff Task Force  (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 65K) R-CALF USA’s Beef Checkoff Resolutions  (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 60K) Industry Wide Beef Checkoff Task Force Draft Recommendations  (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 409K)
Soybean Checkoff Referendum Procedure  (Adobe Acrobat Reader PDF File 641K)