According to Georgia Farm Bureau, a referendum is planned to determine whether cattle producers will fund the Georgia Agricultural Commodity Commission for Beef by an assessment paid by producers to fund research, promotion, and education about the beef industry.  The assessment can be no more than $1/head to be collected when cattle are sold.
 
A producer is eligible to vote in the referendum if the producer has owned cattle, including dairy cattle, in Georgia within the last twelve months.  There is no cost to receive a ballot.
 
The sign up period to receive a ballot expires on December 31, 2013.  To receive a ballot, go to the Georgia Department of Agriculture website by clicking the following link www.agr.georgia.gov/beef-commission.aspx  and complete the online form.
 
For producers who register, ballots and additional information will be mailed to their home address sometime after January 1, 2014.
 
Georgia Farm Bureau is encouraging  all cattle producers to register to vote in the referendum.  Farm Bureau takes no position regarding whether producers vote to support or oppose the checkoff.  The checkoff is producer money, and producers should decide the issue.