Press Release
From: Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska
For Immediate Release: August 2, 2010
Media Contact: ICON Executive Director Destry Brown: 308-458-2244, ICON President David Wright: 402-929-0339, Communications Director Linda Wuebben: 402-357-3778
ICON Concerned with NCBA Audit
The recent audit of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) by The Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB) has raised concerns nationwide. The Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska (ICON) is alarmed by the misuse of funds entrusted to the NCBA through the $1 per head mandatory Beef Checkoff Program.
The audit revealed that Beef Checkoff funds were used by NCBA for expenses that do not align with CBB policies. Conducted by a third-party firm, the audit examined less than 1% of NCBA's total budget but still uncovered approximately $37,000 in discrepancies. The CBB has committed to a more comprehensive audit, which ICON strongly supports.
"It is imperative that the CBB do a more extensive audit given the violations that the first audit uncovered," said ICON Executive Director Destry Brown. "Producers across this state, who pay into the mandatory Beef Checkoff program, deserve to know if a contractor is taking advantage of them."
ICON remains committed to the Beef Checkoff program and supports any action needed to assure producers that their checkoff dollars are being handled responsibly and kept separate from NCBA's policy division. "Producers work very hard for their money and spend it wisely," Brown added. "It is only appropriate that the money they pay into the mandatory Beef Checkoff program be spent with the same care, whether by the CBB, the Federation of State Beef Councils, the Nebraska State Beef Council, or their contractors."
ICON also reminds Nebraska cattlemen about their sponsored bus trip to the USDA/DOJ Workshop in Fort Collins, CO, on Friday, August 27, 2010. The bus will leave on August 26, and the ride is free, thanks to ICON and several sponsors. The deadline to sign up for the tour is Friday, August 6. A block of 20 rooms has been reserved at the Best Western University Inn, located across the street from Colorado State University, where the livestock industry workshop will be held. The rate for accommodations is $79 for two double beds.
ICON encourages livestock producers to take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to send a clear message to the USDA and Congress about the need to address current market practices.
For more information about rooms or to reserve your seat on the bus, please contact Destry Brown at 308-458-2244.
Independent Cattlemen of Nebraska
"Solid as a windmill. Always working for the independent producer."