Public Notice to Missouri Beef Producers

The Director of Agriculture has received a petition from the Missouri Beef Industry Council Board of Directors to conduct a referendum of Missouri cattle producers, pursuant to section 275.352 RSMo as amended, to establish a $1.00 per head state beef checkoff assessment.

A public hearing on the referendum will be held on December 9, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. at the Missouri Electric Cooperatives building on the Missouri State Fairgrounds, 2503 W. 16th Street, Sedalia, Missouri. At this hearing, all interested persons will have the opportunity to voice their opinions regarding the referendum to establish a $1.00 per head state beef checkoff assessment. After the hearing, the Director of Agriculture may approve the petition to conduct a referendum.

If the Director determines that a referendum should be held, cattle producers will be required to register in order to vote. If the referendum is held, registration of producers is scheduled to begin on January 4, 2016 and close on March 4, 2016. Registration will be available online at http://agriculture.mo.gov/councils/ or at county Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices.

If the referendum is held, the Missouri Department of Agriculture will mail ballots to registered producers on April 4, 2016.

For more information, contact the Missouri Department of Agriculture, 1616 Missouri Boulevard, Jefferson City, MO 65109 or 573-751-4211.