A plebiscite on a non-refundable cattle checkoff will be held this fall and the leadership of Alberta Beef Producers is urging its members to get out and vote.

Currently, the provincial portion of the checkoff is voluntary and ABP refunds about $2.4 million yearly (mostly to feeders).

If the checkoff is made non-refundable, most of that money would go to a new Alberta Beef Industry Development Fund for research, market development, education, and “industry collaboration activities,” with a portion going to support the Alberta Cattle Feeders’ Association.

ABP plans to conduct the plebiscite during its fall meetings in late October and early November.