New mexico beef council collects $2 Per animal sold**

**The New Mexico Beef Council collects $1 per animal sold pursuant to the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985, known as the Federal Beef Checkoff, and $1 per animal sold pursuant to the State Assessment as passed in 2019 with state law. The Federal Beef Checkoff is split between the Cattlemen's Beef Board ($0.50) and the New Mexico Beef Council ($0.50). Combining both the state and federal dollars, the New Mexico Beef Council works to increase and protect the demand for beef with promotion, research, advertising, education and more. 


Council Assessment

 Beef Council act 

Beef Checkoff Act and Order

The Checkoff has significantly and positively altered the beef industry’s course, and has brought producers, industry organizations, and stakeholders together with a common purpose: driving demand for beef.

 Download Beef ORder (PDF) 

Frequently Asked Council Assessment Questions (state dollar)

  • Consumer, media and social media marketing efforts to increase the demand for beef;
  • Public outreach through programs such as the state-wide 5th grade school program (Kids, Kows & More), the Youth Ranch Management Camp and the U.S. Beef Academy;
  • Promotions at the New Mexico State Fair and other community events around the State;
  • Research in beef safety, beef nutrition and new beef product development;
  • Producer education programs such as the Beef Quality Assurance Program; and education programs for beef retailers, food service operators, chefs and culinary students;
  • Marketing beef to international markets in cooperation with the US Meat Export Federation;
  • Statewide consumer and producer community education, marketing, outreach and advocacy;
  • Manage beef related issues in the State that can affect consumer’s confidence in beef and impede producer ability to operate.
    • A producer can opt out of the Council Assessment while the Federal Checkoff is mandatory based on federal law.
    • 100% of the Council Assessment dollar goes to the New Mexico Beef Council. 50% of the Federal Checkoff funds go to the New Mexico Beef Council and 50% is sent to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (Beef Board).

    $1.00 per head of cattle that is involved in a transfer of ownership in New Mexico.

    The New Mexico Livestock Board Inspectors will collect the Council Assessment on behalf of the NMBC. These funds are collected as part of the transfer of ownership for each transaction that occurs in New Mexico.

    • Complete the “Application” which can be found at NMBeef.com; Ranchers/Dairy Farmers Tab; “Online Application Request”. When completing this form online, it is delivered directly to the NMBC by hitting the “Submit” button at the bottom of the application. Applications may be mailed to persons who are unable to complete the application online. Call the NMBC at 505841-9407 to request a form by mail.
    • Only refunds requested through this procedure will be granted. Please note that the request for a refund is for a one-time refund on a one-time sale.
    • Refund requests must be made within thirty days of the date of sale. Requests will be date stamped when received by NMBC. Requests made after thirty (30) days from the date of sale are not eligible to receive a refund.
    • Upon receipt of a request for a Refund Application, a unique and sequentially numbered Refund Application will be sent to the producer by U.S. Mail. The form must be completed, in its entirety, and returned to the NMBC by U.S. Mail with a copy of your Form 1 or Bill of Sale.
    • NMBC will verify that the Refund Application is filled out correctly and signed by applicant, and the proof of sale documentation indicating collection of the State Assessment is included. Upon receiving a completed and signed Refund Application, NMBC will issue a refund within fifteen o (15) days of receipt of the assessed funds from the New Mexico Livestock Board.
    • NMBC will notify the producer if their Refund Application is incomplete with detail on what additional information is required.
    • Producers may elect not to participate in the Council Assessment through an application process.
    • Complete the “Application” which can be found at NMBeef.com; Ranchers/Dairy Farmers Tab; “Online Application Request”. When completing this form online, it is delivered directly to the NMBC by hitting the “Submit” button at the bottom of the application. Applications may be mailed to persons who are unable to complete the application online. Call the NMBC at 505841-9407 to request a form by mail.
    • One Opt-Out Application must be submitted for each brand the producer wishes to exempt from the Council Assessment.
    • Upon receipt of a request for an Opt-Out Application, NMBC will send a unique and sequentially numbered Opt-Out Application (one per brand) to the producer by U.S. Mail. The form must be completed, in its entirety, and returned to the NMBC by U.S. Mail.
    • Opt-Out Applications may be made at any time; however, the request will only be valid for transactions going forward from the date of receipt of the Opt-Out Application by the NMBC.
    • NMBC will verify that the Opt-Out Application is filled out correctly and signed by applicant.
      • Upon receiving a completed and signed Opt-Out Application, NMBC will update the New Mexico Livestock Board records to indicate receipt of the completed request and the Council Assessment will no longer be collected from that date forward for three years. Opt-Out status will be valid for three years from the date of receipt by NMBC.
    • NMBC will notify the producer once their Opt-Out Application has been received and processed. Opt-Out Producers should keep that notification record for their records.
    • If a producer chooses to opt-out of the Council Assessment, s/he are still responsible for paying the Federal Beef Checkoff assessment.
    • All Opt Outs expire after three years and will have to be resubmitted.
    • Contact the New Mexico Beef Council at [email protected] or by calling 505-841-9407. Thank you for considering opting back in! 
    • Your opt out expires after three years so if it has been three years since you opted out, you may not have to take any steps. 
    • The Opt-Out process will mean you will not pay a Council Assessment for 3 years from the date the NMBC receives and processes this request.
    • Opt-Out must be renewed every 3 years by following the procedure outlined above. • Opt-Out does NOT run concurrently with the Master Brand registration.
    • Producers will not receive a reminder when their Opt-Out status expires.