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Texas Agriculture Archive

July 5, 2002

Lamb checkoff announced

USDA recently announced it will begin collection of lamb checkoff assessments beginning July 1, 2002. Producers, feeders and packers will all contribute to this self-help program. Domestic lamb producers, feeders, seedstock producers and exporters will pay one-half cent per pound of live lambs sold. In addition, first handlers, primarily packers, will be assessed 30-cents-per-head of lambs purchased by the first handler for slaughter. Lamb importers will not be assessed.

The program is expected to raise about $3 million each year to fund promotion, research and information programs. Specific programs will be determined by the program's board of directors, who will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. The process for industry organizations to nominate representatives to the board began in May. The 13-member board will include six producer representatives, three feeder representatives, three packers, and one seed stock producer.

The order calls for a delayed referendum to be conducted no later than three years after assessments begin. Prior to that time, refunds may be requested. Rules and regulations for the assessment program were published in the June 7 Federal Register and comments are due by August 30.