Checkoff Collections

Learn more about how the Beef Checkoff Assessment is collected at various points in the beef supply chain.

Checkoff Compliance
About Your Beef Checkoff

The Beef Promotion and Research Act was passed as part of the 1985 Farm Bill and provides the mission and the base for the Beef Checkoff--a producer-funded beef promotion and research program aimed at building demand for beef and beef products. For nearly 30 years, the Beef Checkoff has funded important research, advertising and marketing campaigns aimed at educating consumers about the qualities of beef, and other work to grow beef demand, both in the US and abroad.

Complying With the Checkoff

  • The law requires all producers selling cattle or calves, for any reason and regardless of cattle age and sex, to pay $1 per head to support beef/veal promotion, research and education.
  • The buyer is generally responsible for collecting $1 per head from the seller. By law, both buyer and seller are equally liable to see that $1-per-head has been collected and paid.
  • No producer is exempt from the checkoff. Buyers who resell cattle no more than 10 days from the date of purchase may file a non-producer status form and avoid paying an additional dollar. They are, however, responsible for remitting collected funds and reporting any transaction to the QSBC.
  • Remember: A dollar or a document! All selling/purchase transactions must be reported. In each case, either $1-per-head or non-producer status form document must be collected by the buyer from the seller to show the dollar has been collected and paid within the past 10 days.
  • If it's more convenient, the seller of cattle may collect and remit funds collected. For instance, purebred breeders selling to many different buyers may wish to remit the checkoff themselves; persons exporting cattle should also pay when the cattle change hands. Buyers should keep receipts showing the checkoff has been paid.
  • Persons in non-compliance with the Act and Order are subject to a civil penalty of up to $5,500 per transaction, plus unremitted checkoff dollars and interest.
  • Research shows the checkoff returns $4.90 in terms of cattle prices that are higher than they would have been without checkoff-funded programs.

The remittance address is as follows:

California Beef Council
P.O. Box 340368
Sacramento, CA 95834-0368

Here are some more Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) about checkoff compliance.

Assessment Forms

Sales Markets
Assessment Form
How-to Guide

Packing Plants
Assessment Form
How-to Guide

Calf Ranches
Assessment Form
How-to Guide

Private Treaty