Minnesota beef producers have the opportunity to vote on a proposed refundable increase of 50 cents per head to the state’s current beef checkoff. It’s been more than 30 years since the last checkoff increase, when the Federal checkoff was implemented for all U.S. beef producers at $1.00 per head.
Currently, producers pay $1.00 per head at the time of sale, with funds split evenly between the Minnesota Beef Council and the Cattlemen’s Beef Board. If the referendum passes, producers will pay $1.50 per head but will be able to request a refund of $0.50 per head if they choose. The proposed increase would fund additional beef production research, promotion, and consumer activities within Minnesota.
Dairy cows purchased by a producer for milk production are not subject to the checkoff. However, dairy cows and veal calves sold by a dairy producer for slaughter are subject to it.
Producers who wish to participate in the referendum must be listed on the Minnesota Beef Council’s producer list. To be added to the list to receive a ballot, visit the Minnesota Beef Council website, email info@mnbeef.org, or call the Minnesota Beef Council office at 763-479-1011.
Referendum timeline
- Dec. 5, 2025 – In-person hearing at the Minnesota Cattle Industry Convention & Trade Show at 10:30 a.m.
- Jan. 14, 2026 – Virtual hearing at 7 p.m.
- Jan. 30, 2026 – Virtual hearing at noon
- Feb. 12, 2026 – Deadline to request a ballot
- March 30, 2026 – Referendum ballots mailed to producers
- April 20, 2026 – Ballots cast must be postmarked for return
- May 19, 2026 – Results of referendum released
All hearings were open to the public and free of charge.
Referendum Q&A
These are some common questions about the upcoming referendum. Contact us if you have other questions and we will post the answers on this page.
Commodity councils are producer-led organizations created under Minnesota law to support and grow specific agricultural commodities. Minnesota first allowed producers to form commodity councils in 1969, and the Minnesota Beef Council was one of the first created.
Councils collect assessments (often called “checkoff dollars”) from producers to fund promotion, research, and industry development. These assessments are refundable for some councils.
In 1982, the Legislature updated the law to add stronger oversight. Today, councils must submit annual budgets to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), and the MDA conducts regular fiscal and compliance audits to ensure accountability.
As of February 2025, Minnesota has 12 commodity councils: Beef, Canola, Corn, Dairy, Dry Edible Bean, Area I Potato, Area II Potato, Soybean, Sunflower, Turkey, Wheat, and Cultivated Wild Rice.
The Minnesota Beef Council currently has about 3,350 producers on its mailing list. This number is expected to grow as more producers learn about the referendum.
If you are an eligible producer, you can request a ballot or verify that you are already on the list by contacting the Minnesota Beef Council office at info@mnbeef.org or 763-479-1011.
The Minnesota Beef Council voted during a regular quarterly meeting to propose an increase of 50 cents a head and notified the MDA of its intent to hold a referendum.
Currently, producers pay $1.00 per head at the time of sale. That dollar is split evenly between the Minnesota Beef Council and the National Beef Board.
It has been more than 30 years since the beef checkoff was last increased. The federal beef checkoff was set at $1.00 per head in the mid-1980s and has not changed since.
If approved, the assessment would increase to $1.50 per head. The additional $0.50 would be refundable.
Beef producers are eligible to vote if they:
- Own or operate a cattle facility in the current or previous marketing year, or received payment for the sale of cattle for beef purposes;
- Share in the profit or risk of loss; and
- Operated a cattle facility in the current or preceding marketing year.
Each voter must sign a certification form included with the ballot. By signing, the voter confirms they meet the definition of a beef producer.
Information about the referendum has been shared through several channels, including:
- Media releases from both the MDA and the Minnesota Beef Council
- Legal notices published in seven newspapers across Minnesota
- A notice posted in the Minnesota State Register
The existing $1.00 federal checkoff can be used for beef research and promotion. The proposed additional $0.50 would expand what can be funded, including production-related research that is not currently allowed under the original dollar.
If approved, only the additional $0.50 per head would be refundable.
Minnesota already has several commodity councils with refundable checkoffs, and this process is well-established. Producers may request a refund by submitting an official checkoff refund request form provided by the MDA within 60 days of the checkoff settlement date. Producers can submit no more than 12 refund request forms per year. The Beef Council must issue the approved checkoff refund within 30 days provided that the Beef Council has received the payment from the first purchaser.
After the public hearing and voting process, one of two things will happen:
- The referendum passes, and the refundable $0.50 increase is approved, or
- The referendum fails, and the checkoff remains at $1.00 per head.
If the referendum passes, the new checkoff rate would begin July 1, 2026, at the start of the new marketing year.
The referendum will pass if a majority of the votes cast are in favor of the proposed increase.
