Livestock Checkoff Programs 101
Amy Barkley, Team Leader & Livestock Specialist
Southwest New York Dairy, Livestock and Field Crops Program

Livestock Checkoff Programs 101
You may have heard of checkoff programs, but aren't sure exactly what they are, or what they mean to you as a livestock producer. This article sheds some light on the basics.
What's a Checkoff?
Checkoffs are programs developed as acts of Congress. Their purpose is to drive demand for agricultural commodities by funding research, education, and promotion. Some checkoff-funded initiatives that you may be familiar with are, "Pork. The Other White Meat", "Beef. It's What's for Dinner", or "The Incredible, Edible Egg".
Those working for the checkoff are, under no circumstances, allowed to lobby; other organizations that you may be familiar with such as Farm Bureau, National Cattleman's Beef Association, and the National Pork Producers Council do this work independently of checkoff dollars.
What Livestock Commodities are included?
There are currently 22 checkoffs in the US that are overseen by the USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service. Each of the checkoffs are run by a research and promotion board. Those of pertinent to livestock production include The Cattleman's Beef Board, The National Pork Board, American Lamb Board, American Egg Board, and the The National Honey Board.
Who Pays into it?
Producers are required to pay into the checkoff by law based on sales of their commodity. Both domestic producers and importers are required to pay it. Organic commodities are not subject to remitting checkoff dollars, which is the result of a variance that was written into the law to help expand the organic market.
How is the checkoff calculated?
Checkoff calculations are not one size fits all. Each one has different computations, which are listed below. That said, all producers selling these commodities must pay into the checkoff. There are a couple of exemptions listed below.
- Beef: $1 per head sold. This includes both cattle and calves from both beef and dairy operations.
- Pork: $0.35 per $100 of sale price. This includes weaned pigs, feeder pigs, market hogs, and seed stock animals. Each time the animal changes production classes (ie weaned pig to feeder or feeder to market hog), the assessment is collected, with the same producer never being assessed twice for the same animal.
- Lamb: A live weight assessment of $0.007 per pound and a first handler assessment of $0.42 per head. This includes all sheep and lambs of any age, including ewes, rams, feeder and market lambs, breeders, and cull animals.
- Eggs: $0.10 for every 30-dozen case sold. Farmers producing eggs from under 75,000 laying hens can request an exemption from paying assessments.
- Honey: $0.015 per pound. Farmer marketing less than 250,000 pounds of honey a year are exempt.
How do I submit my Checkoff?
Each producer is responsible for submitting their own checkoff dollars each time an animal is sold. Payments are due by the 15th of the month following the transaction. Depending on the checkoff, you can submit a check or use an online secure payment portal. You can go to your respective commodity's website to learn more and pay your checkoff.
Upcoming Events
Open Forum to Discuss Newly Approved DOL Trade, "Butcher"
October 2, 2025 : Open Forum to Discuss Newly Approved DOL Trade, "Butcher"
Partners from New York State Dept. of Labor, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Southern Tier West, and Workforce Development will be in the space to provide an overview of the new program, discuss the roles of hosts and apprentices, review the benefits of hosting an apprentice, and setting the vision for building a corps of highly skilled, modern trained Butchers and validating this career as a skilled trade with respectful earning potential.
Silvopasture on a Shoestring
October 7, 2025
Franklinville, NY
Join Joshua Greene, Director of Education at Trees For Graziers, Jonathan Bates, Statewide Agroforestry Educator, and Lynn Bliven, owner of Wild Geese Farm for a full day training event that will include classroom and hands-on sessions. The focus will be on DIY silvopasture projects on small grazing farms. We will address the practical considerations of tree establishment, protection, and maintenance while learning how silvopasture can help address your farm's resource concerns and enhance livestock grazing.
Optimizing the Economic Return of Pasture-Raised Slow-Growth and Conventional Broilers - Webinar
October 15, 2025 : Optimizing the Economic Return of Pasture-Raised Slow-Growth and Conventional Broilers - Webinar
Over the past three years, Cornell Cooperative Extension has worked with nearly 40 small farmers across NYS to gather information on the true costs of raising broilers (meat chickens) on pasture. This presentation is a summary of the findings of this research project.
Announcements
No announcements at this time.