All cattle producers are invited to attend one of the meetings scheduled across Nebraska in July and August that will address three key industry issues: Country of origin labeling, Beef Checkoff and LB 677 – the livestock facilities inspection bill.  COOL is mandatory under current law and will be enforced beginning September 30, 2008, which could pertain to spring 2007 calves. The beef checkoff program is 20 years old and an industry-wide checkoff improvement taskforce is reviewing the program. Regarding LB 677, ranchers under certain conditions must apply for an inspection by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and many producers were unaware of this requirement and subject to stiff penalties.  LB 677 provides a window of opportunity for ranchers that are required to request an inspection to do so without fear of late fees. 

Hosted by Nebraska Cattlemen, the meetings are free and will provide all interested cattle producers the opportunity to share their comments and learn more about three important areas within the cattle industry.

Country-of-Origin Labeling: COOL is mandatory under current law and will be enforced beginning September 30, 2008. The meeting is intended to make producers aware of the need to be prepared to provide documentation to comply with the law.  Examples of documentation will be discussed along with other requirements of the law to make sure that meeting attendees are well informed.

Beef Checkoff:  The beef checkoff is 20 years old and an industry-wide checkoff improvement taskforce is recommending producers consider increasing the rate of the checkoff.  Approval of the beef checkoff remains high at approximately 70% according to the latest survey of beef and dairy producers.  The summer meetings will allow producers to comment on their ideas for increasing the checkoff including the support for an increase, timing of such an increase, the use of the dollars generated and what successes can be achieved for beef producers by an increase. 

LB 677: This very important piece of legislation was championed by NC during this year’s legislative session.  LB 677 was introduced and passed this year to provide a window of opportunity for ranchers that are required to request an inspection to do so without fear of late penalties. All ranchers are advised to learn if they are required to request an inspection before the window closes and the late penalties begin accruing again.  The meeting will allow for a brief explanation of who is required to request an inspection while providing the necessary documentation if such an inspection request is required.

The COOL, Checkoff and LB 677 meetings will be held from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at these dates and locations: July 23 - Chadron (Country Kitchen);  July 24 - Scottsbluff (Panhandle Research Center); July 30 - Beatrice (4-H Building, Gage County Fairgrounds); July 31 – in conjunction with the Nebraska Cattlemen Region 6 Roundup,  Brule (Bayside Golf Course); July 31 - Albion (Albion Country Club); August 1 - Blue Hill (Senior Center);  August 15 - in conjunction with the Nebraska Cattlemen Region 2 Roundup, Thedford (Stubbs); August 16 - McCook (Fairgrounds Community Building); August 20 - Laurel (VFW); August 21 - Ainsworth (Elks Lodge).

The Nebraska Cattlemen association serves as the spokesman for the state’s beef cattle industry and represents professional cattle breeders, ranchers and feeders, as well as 48 county and local cattlemen’s associations. Its headquarters are in Lincoln and second office in Alliance serves cattlemen in western Nebraska.

This and other Nebraska Cattlemen information is available at www.nebraskacattlemen.org.