What Do Producers Think of Creating a Montana Cattle Committee?

What do Montana producers think about the idea to create a Montana Cattle Committee? This would apparently be similar to the Wheat & Barley Committee, and funded by a new checkoff focused on Montana beef.

MT Rep. Shane Klakken (R-Grass Range) first put this bill on our radar back in mid January during our "Co-op Day at the Capitol" show from inside the rotunda. He said he wanted to hear feedback from producers about what they think of the idea.

Rep. Klakken: "A proposal- a bill has been put forward to form a cattle committee, an additional dollar for that from the people who pay the per capita fee to promote Montana beef- Montana beef only...operators and associations get together and decide if you want to do this, and if they do want to do it, then the committee is formed."

Here's how he described the bill's funding mechanism back on January 17th:

Rep. Klakken: "How this bill is currently structured is the people who pay the per capita every year will be sent a ballot, a referendum will be sent out to see if they even want to have this cattle committee. And if they do, they'll all be required to participate, but if there's something happening to that dollar they don't like, they can actually request their dollar back."

Here's how Elon Musk's AI platform Grok sums up the bill, HB 119, based off of reporting by the Western Ag Network.

• House Bill 119: Sponsored by House Speaker Brandon Ler, R-Savage, this bill aims to create the Montana Cattle Committee. The legislation proposes a one-dollar-per-head assessment on cattle sales, which would be refundable if requested by the producer within 45 days of payment.
• Purpose: The committee would focus on promoting Montana cattle and beef, enhancing profitability, and supporting marketing, research, and educational efforts specific to Montana's cattle industry. This initiative is separate from the federal Beef Checkoff Program, which does not specifically promote Montana beef.

Click here the full text of House Bill 119, which is sponsored by Montana Speaker of the House Brandon Ler (R-Savage).

I have heard from a couple producers like Joe Dooling in Helena, and former Rep. Jeff Pattison (R-Glasgow) who have concerns about the additional checkoff. What's your take? Message us on the app.

Rep. Klakken joined us on Jan. 17th, and former Rep. Pattison called in this past Friday with his concerns. Audio of both conversations can be found below. The Montana Stock Growers Association is backing the proposal.