American Lamb Board
Pay the Mandatory
US Lamb Checkoff
The US Lamb Checkoff, directed by the American Lamb Board (ALB), is funded by the mandatory assessment (checkoff) paid by all segments of the sheep industry. By federal law, all sheep or lambs of any age, including ewes, rams, feeder and market lambs, breeding stock and cull animals, are subject to the national lamb checkoff assessment at the time of every sale. The live weight assessment is $.007 per pound and the first handler assessment is $.42 per head.
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How to Pay the Lamb Checkoff
The mandatory American Lamb Checkoff assessment rates do not change. The live weight assessment is $.007 per pound and the first handler assessment is $.42 per head.
Send To
American Lamb Board
23029 Network Place
Chicago, IL 60673-1230
Assessments must be sent with Form LS-81, the Monthly Remittance Report.
Remittance Forms
Refund Information
By USDA regulation, there are scenarios when a refund is in order. In all refund cases, proper documentation will be required, including completing the USDA refund request form (LP-85).
Refunds will be issued when feeders who are not first handlers (lambs’ owner at the time of harvest) buy animals at an auction or sale and are charged the first handler assessment of $.42 per head. These feeders can submit a refund request accompanied by the payment receipt. If these animals are then sold to a first handler who collects the live weight assessment, feeders can also submit a refund request for the weight portion they are not responsible for and was already collected at the auction or sale. Feeders are only responsible for paying the $.007 per pound of live weight they added to the animals from the time of purchase to the time of sale to a first handler.
Refunds will also be issued to dealers. A dealer is exempt from paying the lamb checkoff if: (1) the person’s only share in the sale proceeds is a sales commission, handling fee, or other service fee; or (2) the person acquired ownership of the lambs to facilitate transfer of ownership from the seller to a third party; or (3) the person resold such lambs no later than 10 days from the date of acquired ownership. When a dealer, as defined above, buys animals at an auction or sale and gets charged the first handler fee of $.42 per head, a refund request on USDA form LP-85 accompanied by payment receipt can be submitted. If that dealer then sells these animals at a second auction or sale and is charged the live weight assessment ($.007 per pound), the dealer can submit a refund request for both transactions.