The History

The National Beef Checkoff Program was authorized by the 1985 Farm Bill and became mandatory following approval by 79 percent of U.S. beef producers in a 1988 national referendum. The program assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, as well as a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. 

Checkoff funds are collected by state beef councils like OBC. Half of each dollar is forwarded to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, which oversees the national Beef Checkoff program under USDA supervision. The remaining half is retained by OBC to fund Ohio-based programs that complement national efforts and address the needs of Ohio consumers and producers. 

Ohio’s commitment to beef promotion began even earlier. In 1970, Ohio beef producers voted to establish a voluntary 10-cent-per-head state checkoff. Prior to the 1985 Farm Bill, producers approved two additional increases. In March 2014, Ohio producers again demonstrated their support by approving a $1 state checkoff through a referendum passed by 72 percent of voters. The state checkoff went into effect in June 2014. 

Today, Ohio’s Beef Checkoff operates under both state and national authorities, totaling $2 per head. These funds allow OBC to expand beef’s presence in Ohio schools, host farm tours and educational programs for food and health professionals, train producer spokespersons, conduct nutrition seminars, and maintain a strong statewide media presence—helping reach Ohio’s 11.5 million consumers with a trusted beef message.

Ohio's Checkoff Dollars at Work