A cow is shown at the 2016 Washington County Fair. Photo by Sally Y. Hart

With 56% of the vote, Iowa’s beef checkoff referendum passed. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced the passage of the measure Thursday following the November 30th vote by cattle owners across the state. With the referendum, 50-cents per head of Iowa beef sold will go to the efforts to promote Iowa’s beef and beef products through the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Collection of the checkoff will begin March 1st.