Just like shooting fish in a barrel, checkoff-style
OPINION
“Where Farm and Family Meet”
The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a package of technology enhancements from the Farm Service Agency that include web access for handheld and smartphone users, as well as a more efficient and timely option for receiving news and critical program information. The FSA site is accessible through any device that connects to the internet. The mobile site organizes the information on the website in a way that makes for easy reading on a small, hand-held screen. It does not require screen adjustments or constant scrolling and panning across the information. In addition to the mobile website, FSA is now offering farmers and ranchers a more efficient and timely option for receiving critical program information. Such things as eligibility requirements, deadlines and related information can be accessed through an electronic news service hosted by GovDelivery. By signing up for free online communications through GovDelivery, farmers and ranchers can receive news, via e-mail, directly to their home or farm office or to their mobile devices — allowing them to receive immediate notification of farm program news that is pertinent to their agricultural operation. To access FSA’s mobile website log on to www.fsa.usda.gov/mobile. To sign up for FSA’s GovDelivery electronic news service, log on to www.fsa.usda.gov/subscribe. ❖
<< www.TheLandOnline.com >>
Mobile web access to USDA
better prices shouldn’t be too hard. After all, I found the answers so how hard could it be? Very hard, evidently, because at the recently concluded Cattle Industry Convention the most-discussed checkoff topic was a doubling of the $1-perhead fee, not whether the program actually worked. The checkoff’s chief contractor, the NCBA, did brag at the convention that it would work hard to “eliminate the livestock title” in the 2012 farm bill and to permanently kill COOL, country of origin labeling, for all beef sold in the United States. Either action, if successful, is counter to any — however meager — effort by the checkoff to improve the bottom line of American cattle ranchers and feeders. As is the NCBA-endorsed Feb. 13 effort by 31 U.S. senators to push the White House to approve rules that would ease American beef imports. Read the full letter as a PDF on Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley’s website at http://goo.gl/5MiQ4. So, even as U.S. cattlemen continue to pay the $1per-head — and maybe $2-per-head — checkoff , the number of cattle, cattlemen and American beef consumption per capita continue to fall while the checkoff’s key contractor, the NCBA, gets wealthier, bigger and works harder against ’em. Talk about shooting fish in a barrel. Alan Guebert’s “Farm and Food File” is published weekly in more than 70 newspapers in North America. Contact him at agcomm@farmandfoodfile.com. ❖
THE LAND, FEBRUARY 24, 2012
vince cattlemen that the checkoff is good Sometimes you’ve just got to shoot the or convince consumers that beef is good? fish in the barrel and take the candy from babies. As you ponder that question, here’s another fish to draw down on: Can one As a hunter of barrel-trapped fish who red cent — or even 70 cents — spent per always takes candy from babies — that’s person per year have any affect whatsoright, I’m a journalist — I can spot a carp ever on American beef consumption or from any golf course or barstool in any production? light any day of the week. According to the U.S. Department of Sometimes it’s easier than that. Sometimes all you have to do is follow the numbers. FARM & FOOD FILE Agriculture, no. On Jan. 1, 1987, one year after the fedFor example, according to 2009 figures By Alan Guebert eral beef checkoff began, beef cattle and compiled by the National Cattlemen’s calves in the U.S. totaled 102.1 million Beef Association, the “net checkoff spent head. One point six billion checkoff dolper person” for beef promotion by the lars and 24 years later, Jan. 1, 2011, nation’s 45 state beef councils averaged total inventory was 92.8 million head, or a lean $0.12. 9.5 percent lower. Twelve cents per person nationwide to promote Likewise, the number of U.S. beef operations fell beef. Golly. from 1.01 million on Jan. 1, 1987, to 742,000 on Jan. Of course the $1-per-head, non-refundable federal 1, 2011, down 26 percent. checkoff splits its annual millions 50/50 between the states and its national overseer, the Cattlemen’s Beef And beef consumption, the whole point of the Board. The CBB, in turn, contracts with the National checkoff? Cattlemen’s Beef Association to carry out its mission In 1986, U.S. beef retail sales per capita totaled with a corresponding $0.12 or so per person, too. 78.7 pounds. That would make the total beef promotion effort In 2009, retail sales per capita was 60.8 pounds, a maybe two bits … per person … nationwide. Golly gee. 22 percent drop, or about a-pound-per-year slide for over checkoff’s 20-plus years. (2011 numbers are So, if most state beef councils spend less than a unavailable.) thin nickel per year per person to promote beef in the most populous states (California: 5 cents, Florida As such, deciding whether the checkoff has delivand Illinois: 2 cents, New York: 1 cent) and 30- to ered more cattle, more producers or sold more beef at 100-times more in states with more cows than coyotes (Kansas: 45 cents, Nebraska: 70 cents, South Dakota: $1.23) is the goal of the beef checkoff to con-
3 A