A group of independent North Dakota ranchers has filed a lawsuit claiming that the state’s Beef Commission board appointment process is unfairly dominated by private associations and Governor Kelly Armstrong.
The lawsuit, filed by the Ranchers Rights Initiative and three of its leaders, argues that independent ranchers lack representation on the nine-member board, which oversees the use of $1.67 million in annual checkoff funds collected from cattle sales.
Plaintiffs say that nominations for most board positions come from groups like the Stockmen’s Association, and that the governor has historically only appointed their own affiliates, shutting out unaffiliated producers.
The lawsuit challenges the Beef Commission Act of 2009 and requests the court either strike down the law or prevent the governor from selecting board members based solely on nominations from private groups. It also contests a rule that bars ranchers who’ve requested checkoff refunds in the past three years from serving on the board.
Photo Credit: AgWeek
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