Beef Checkoff Battle: Ranchers Challenge North Dakota Stockmen’s Association in Court
Attorney Robby Dube joins the program to explain a lawsuit filed by local ranchers against the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association over how the beef checkoff program is managed and who truly represents independent cattle producers.
Dube reveals several explosive details uncovered during depositions. According to testimony, individuals do not have to be active beef producers—or even adults—to become members of the Stockmen’s Association as long as dues are paid. The organization also admitted it opposes allowing producers to directly elect members of the North Dakota Beef Commission, arguing that too few people would run for the positions. However, they also acknowledged that independent beef producers could be just as qualified to nominate candidates as the Stockmen’s Association.
The legal discovery process uncovered other major contradictions. The organization initially claimed it never nominated candidates for an at-large seat on the Beef Commission but later walked back that statement. When reviewing nominations going back to 2009, they could identify only one person who was not directly tied to the Stockmen’s Association or the North Dakota CattleWomen—and even that nominee had close connections to the group. The deposition also raised questions about possible coordination with government officials during the nomination process, which the association strongly denies.
Gary also speaks with BrightCore about emerging opportunities in agriculture and technology, and Dr. Jake Schmitz returns to discuss health and wellness insights that challenge conventional thinking about disease prevention and modern medicine.
With discovery in the lawsuit set to close soon, the case could have serious implications for cattle producers, industry leadership, and the future of the beef checkoff program in North Dakota.
