Alta. Beef Producers seek support for fee

The Alberta Beef Producers and feed lot operators will seek support for a non-refundable checkoff fee this fall that they say will raise $1.4 million annually to support the cattle industry.

The joint agreement was announced Friday in a release from the Alberta Beef Producers calling it a “new era of collaboration in Alberta’s beef industry.”

“We are proud of the hard work both organizations have put in over the last few years to get to this point. ,” said Charlie Christie, chair of Alberta Beef Producers. “Historically, ABP and Alberta Cattle Feeders Association have had common positions on many key industry issues. We look forward to capitalizing on the value and experience of both organizations

Last year Alberta Ag Minister Oniel Carlier implemented a new policy of allowing producer groups to institute such “non-refundable” fees if their members agreed.

A successful \ this fall would create of the Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund towards research and technology transfer, market development, education, consumer advocacy, and industry collaboration.

“We need to make sure we have an industry that is wellrepresented and well-funded, and this agreement can provide stable funding for beef groups at the provincial and national level,” said Ryan Kasko, chair of Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association.

“Issues facing the industry are becoming more complex and our industry needs unified representation to minimize duplication and drive efficiency.”

No details on a vote were released, though the groups are jointly hosting two-hour information town hall at five locations in early June.

Southern Alberta meetings will be held on June 4 at Bow Slope Shipping, outside Brooks, and on June 5 at the Paradise Canyon Golf Resort in Lethbridge.