The National Pork Board announced Sept. 12 plans to migrate pork checkoff remittances to its online platform. The online checkoff remittance system is designed to significantly reduce the processing time, paper and other expenses for the Pork Board while also giving pork producers more flexibility with payment options, improving operational efficiencies and creating cost savings.

“Our expenses for collecting and reconciling manual payments run about $150,000 annually,” said Calvin VandeKrol, vice president of finance for the Pork Board. “That includes bank fees, postage, paper, printing and several hours of staff time each month. By migrating remittances to the online platform, we’re saving producer checkoff dollars that can be redirected to other, more critical work related to our research, promotion and education efforts.”

Bill Even, chief executive officer of the pork checkoff, said, “Producers around the country have told us loud and clear they want today’s pork checkoff to move at the speed of business. The online reporting system reduces processing costs and time on both sides of the transaction and provides greater transparency and accountability.”

With the online system, there are three ways to report and submit payments:

1. ACH payment – Producers can file their report and pay online with an ACH withdrawal from their checking account. This is the most widely accepted and most efficient method of payment.

2. Paystub – Producers will file their report online and print a paystub to mail in with their check. This provides the option of forgoing an ACH withdrawal and works well for producers who have a separate department that cuts accounts payable checks. It still allows the producer to track and report on prior payment information through the online system.

3. “Zero reporting” – This option is used when a sale has not occurred for the period and no checkoff remittance is owed.

Producers who are not currently using the system, which has been available since 2017, will need to register before they can begin using the secure system. During the month of September, the Pork Board will mail letters to those producers who need to register so they can establish their login credentials. Producers may also register online.