Cattle producers and cattle and beef importers...

Cattle producers and cattle and beef importers voted overwhelmingly to support a $1-a-head marketing checkoff to finance a national beef promotion and research program, the Agriculture Department said. Assistant Secretary Kenneth A. Gilles said about 79% of the 256,505 valid ballots cast in the May 10 referendum favored the program, while 21% were opposed. The 1985 law that established the program, which began operations on Oct. 1, 1986, required that a referendum be held to determine whether to continue the program.