The Kentucky Cattlemen's Association is asking the State Board of Agriculture for approval to conduct a statewide referendum of beef cattle producers.
The KCA is proposing increasing the state assessment from $1 to $2 per head of cattle marketed in the state.
Association Vice President Dave Maples says the fee has been a dollar per head of cattle for 27 years. Now, Maples says more money is needed for promotion. "You know, there's other choices out there. So we need to do not only promotions, but we need to do research on different cuts. How do we get it there quicker? How does the consumer buy our product?" said Maples.
The request goes before the Kentucky State Board of Agriculture Thursday. If approved by the board, the measure will have to be endorsed by Kentucky's beef producers. Upon their consent, the increased assessment would go into effect next April.?
