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OCM, Ohio Beef Council disagree about checkoff funds

The Ohio Beef Council says claims that it is misusing funds are unfounded. The Organization for Competitive Markets and the Ohio Farmers Union say checkoff funds, which are supposed to be used for the promotion of beef, are being given to lobbying groups.

The OCM report says funds are being given to the Ohio Cattlemen’s Association and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture says there are policies in place to ensure checkoff funds are used as intended and the OCM report requires further clarification.

Joe Maxwell, executive director of OCM, says his group is not opposed to the checkoff program, but wants to make sure funds are being used properly.

“We’re saying let’s clean it up and make it go for the purposes it’s supposed to- furthering the interest and demand for beef and america,” he says.

The OCM and Ohio Farmers Union recommend that federal and state checkoff funds be paid directly to the state and federal government.

The Ohio Beef Council says checkoff funds should continue to be collected in Ohio, and that producers should have a say in where their checkoff dollars go.