ABP Check-off and Operation

ABP operations are funded by the cattle check-off. The check-off is collected at point-of-sale on all cattle sold in Alberta and is then remitted to the ABP. The entire process is subject to regular audits to help ensure fairness, efficiency and fiscal responsibility.

The ABP began collecting fees on cattle marketed in Alberta on January 1, 1970. In that first year and until 1976, the check-off was set at 10 cents per head. To meet the needs of a competitive global marketplace, Alberta producers have voted to increase the check-off several times over the past several decades. Today, it stands at $3 per head.

The Alberta Beef Producers (ABP) believes the beef cattle industry can recover from the BSE crisis. To realize this vision, the industry must increase its investment in lobby, market development and promotion initiatives.

Consequently the 2004/05 ABP budget includes $2 million in new spending targeted in four areas:

  • Enhanced federal lobbying ($250,000) - improving our effectiveness in Ottawa,
  • U.S. trade management ($500,000) - improving our effectiveness in Washington
  • Foreign beef market re-entry ($1,000,000) - positioning our industry to reclaim lost market share in U.S. and off-shore markets, and *new domestic beef marketing ($250,000) - developing new products and uses for the abundance of cow beef in the Canadian market.

To begin work in these areas, the ABP check-off was increased April 1, 2004 from $2 to $3 per head. The ABP will work with existing national organizations to maximize the additional investment. Of the current $3.00 service fee:

  • $1.00 is forwarded to the national check-off program for promotion, market development and research,
  • three cents is paid to dealers to reimburse their expenses for collecting and remitting the service charge,
  • 15 cents is paid to the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association as Alberta’s assessment to belong to the national organization,
  • 82 cents is used for ABP provincial activities,
  • $1.00 is targeted towards improved lobby efforts in Washington and Ottawa, market re-entry in the United States, and domestic mature cow beef processing and marketing initiatives.

Check-off dollars are allocated to a range of activities and programs, all designed to strengthen the Alberta cattle industry, while keeping administrative costs to a reasonable level.