The Michigan Beef Industry Commission (MBIC) was formed by state legislation in 1972 to be the face and voice of the beef industry in Michigan. The commission builds consumer demand for beef by growing consumer trust and promoting beef’s value. The commission is funded by beef producers through the beef checkoff.
Producers serving on the Michigan Beef Industry Commission recently voted to re-start a state checkoff program on the sale of cattle in Michigan. Michigan is joining 18 other states with a state checkoff in addition to the federal $1 per-head checkoff.
The Michigan checkoff begins January 1, 2024.
MBIC has operated for nearly 40 years on one half of the federal dollar-per-head checkoff revenue. The buying power of the dollar had decreased significantly over time. To effectively carry out MBIC’s mission on behalf of cattle producers, an updated funding model is necessary.
The Michigan checkoff is 10 cents for every $100 of value on cattle raised in Michigan, capped at $1 per head. The Michigan checkoff will be collected along with the national $1 per head checkoff.
Working for all Michigan cattle producers, the state checkoff will enable MBIC to inspire trust, educate and remind consumers to choose beef by:
The Michigan Beef Industry Commission is the face and voice of beef producers in Michigan, working to build consumer demand for beef by growing consumer trust and promoting beef’s value. Consumers have never been more disconnected from where their food comes from, which allows outside voices to leverage misinformation about beef very successfully. Presently less than 1/3 of Michigan consumers have a positive perception of how cattle are raised. We must do more to educate consumers about what beef producers do, and the many benefits of the product we produce.
MBIC is focused on educating the public about the value of beef, growing trust in how we raise beef, and making our programs visible. An updated funding mechanism is critically needed to support MBIC’s efforts to achieve these goals.
In recent years, producer organizations have recommended MBIC re-start a state check-off that existed before the national program was established in 1985. We’re working hard to get the word out to producers around the state about this proposal to re-start our state checkoff, why it’s needed now and what it will mean for the future of the beef industry in Michigan.
Michigan Beef Industry Commission was established by the MI legislature via Public Act 291. The legislation authorized the commission to make an assessment of not more than 1/10th of 1% of gross receipts from the sale of all cattle.
Cattle producers throughout Michigan pledge their support to MBIC by the passage of a state referendum.
The Beef Promotion and Research Act was passed as part of the 1985 Farm Bill, providing the base for development of a national, producer-funded beef promotion and research program — the Beef Checkoff Program. The assessment rate prescribed by the federal law was $1 per head.
Michigan Beef Industry Commission is certified by the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board to operate as the Qualified State Beef Council in Michigan. The Commission votes to set-aside the state assessment and begin collecting the $1 per head national beef checkoff.
Beef producers vote to continue the one dollar per head national beef checkoff.
The Michigan Cattlemen’s Association and other organizations approve policy supporting an increase in the National Beef Checkoff of at least an additional $1 per head.
After attempts to increase the National Beef Checkoff are thwarted, Michigan agriculture organizations begin approving policy supporting reinstatement of assessments under Public Act 291 of 1972 (the state checkoff).
An industry task force including representatives from the Michigan Cattlemen’s Association, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Milk Producers Association and Dairy Farmers of America approve a recommendation requesting MBIC restart state checkoff.
Michigan beef producers urged to give their opinion on the recommendation via a statewide survey with 69% responding in support of the recommendation. However, with a prolonged decline in fed cattle prices from early 2015 into 2016, the Commission determined it was not the right time to restart the state checkoff.
The Michigan Beef Industry Commission restructures staffing and gives up a long-standing lease to maintain operations with reduced revenue.
MBIC Directors identify 4 strategic focus areas for the Commission. They include:
For more information or to speak with an MBIC staff member, please contact us or call [517] 347-0911.