Alabama cattle owners on Wednesday will have the opportunity to vote on whether they want to continue a voluntary self-help checkoff program.

This Beef Checkoff program provides funds necessary to improve the business climate for beef production in the state by advertising beef, educating consumers, supporting youth programs, funding cattle production research and providing cattlemen with educational programs.

Cattle growers checkoff a dollar per head when cattle are sold and the funds are managed by the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association. The funds can be used to provide staff and activities for youth and young cattlemen as well as hold programs and conduct research on cattle production.

Each year, a group of cattlemen, stockyard operators, cattlewomen, educators and other industry leaders meet to pass checkoff programs and develop a plan for spending checkoff dollars during the coming year in Alabama.

Jack Batts, president of the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and an Athens-based cattle producer, said producers are fortunate to have the checkoff program because it provides a number of services to cattle producers. He added the 100-plus member ACA board of directors encourages cattle owners to check “yes” in the referendum.

“Today more people want to know where their food comes from, and we are able to provide information for teachers, dietitians, culinary arts students, retailers and food-service operators about cattle production and the beef industry,” Batts said. “We also have funds to support activities for youth, and educational meetings for cattlemen. The program is voluntary, so if a cattleman doesn’t support the checkoff he can get his money back through the refund provision.”

The referendum vote will be 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at county Alabama Cooperative Extension Service offices statewide. The Limestone County Extension office is at 1109 W. Market St., Athens.

All cattle owners are eligible to vote one time in-person regardless of their county of residence or the county where they own cattle. No proxy or absentee voting is allowed.

Since 1962, 12 statewide referendums have been held, all yielding a positive majority vote to continue the program. The 2018 checkoff marketing plan, detailing exactly how and where checkoff dollars will be spent, can be viewed by visiting www.BamaBeef.org/Checkoff or by contacting the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association at 334-265-1867.

To learn more about the referendum, visit www.BamaBeef.org/Vote.