Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off

The Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off is a mandatory levy of $1 per head collected on cattle sales throughout Canada to fund research and marketing activities on behalf of the entire industry. It is collected from cattle producers when they market their cattle by provincial organizations, using their existing collection systems involving auction markets, order buyers, brand inspectors and others who handle cattle sales.

The goal of the Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off is twofold – to increase sales of domestic and export beef and to find better and more efficient methods of producing beef and beef cattle. The Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off generates $7.5 million annual on average, and is a critical source of revenue to fund initiatives that will advance the industry and build strong markets for Canadian cattle and beef.

The Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off provides industry funding for the Beef Cattle Research Council responsible for the industry’s national research program as well as funding for Canada Beef.

The Canadian Beef Cattle Check-Off also collects an Import Levy, equivalent to $1 per head of live cattle on beef and beef products. Import levy dollars are invested into generic beef programs that do not bear the Canadian Beef Brandmark, such as culinary skills, and health and wellness.