checkoff Archives - Public Justice Food Project

February 1, 2020 In News

The Wisconsin State Farmer: Summary judgment issued against R-CALF in checkoff case

“The Magistrate held that for decades USDA had been violating producers’ rights and the Constitution by turning over money to unaccountable state beef councils.”

image of a wendys burger ad paid for by checkoff

September 30, 2019 In Blog

How Beef Companies Use the Checkoff to Squeeze Ranchers

The checkoff is a federal tax that forces ranchers to pay $1 per head every time cattle are sold, half of which is used in Montana and other states to fund the advertisements of the private, corporate run “state beef councils.” This is a form of compelled speech that is not only regressive — it’s unconstitutional.

September 30, 2019 In Resource Materials

Checkoff Plaintiffs’ Brief in support of MSJ

Case: Beef Checkoff Case (R-CALF USA v. Perdue)

September 30, 2019 In Resource Materials

Checkoff Amended Supplemental Pleading

Case: Beef Checkoff Case (R-CALF USA v. Perdue)

September 30, 2019 In Resource Materials

Checkoff Complaint

Case: Beef Checkoff Case (R-CALF USA v. Perdue)

September 25, 2019 In Cases

Beef Checkoff Case (R-CALF USA v. Perdue)

We are lead counsel on behalf of the nation’s largest organization of independent cattle producers, R-CALF USA, in a suit raising a First Amendment challenge to the administration of the beef checkoff in Montana. We are arguing that although the federal government mandates all ranchers pay…