The call for a funding restructure of the peak beef producer representative body materialised on Tuesday when newly installed president Andrew Ogilvie released a discussion paper on the issue inviting feedback from industry stakeholders.

Changing the levy payment system would require alterations to federal legislation, as compulsory levies are currently paid to Meat and Livestock Australia. Beef producers currently pay a transaction levy of $5 per animal sold, and the money is used by MLA for research and marketing.

Currently, the funding for Cattle Council is derived from membership income from State farming organisations, the Red Meat Advisory Council fund, sponsorship and government funding agreements.

Cattle Council of Australia copped some criticism last year at the height of the Indonesian live export crisis when most of the industry's reputation management was left to MLA, a function well outside its charter as a statutory marketing and R&D body.

MLA chief executive Scott Hansen has repeatedly stated that MLA will no longer assume the role of industry mouthpiece, and will look to the national beef producer groups to muscle up in their political lobbying and take up their share of the workload in fronting the media and public.

In a statement issued this week, Mr Ogilvie indicated that seeking a slice of the levy funds would assist Cattle Council in meeting this challenge.

"The Cattle Council has been working for some time to improve its operational structure, governance, funding and membership," he said. "There has been increasing pressure placed on our resources. We need to address this if we are to more-effectively represent the sector into the future.

"Based on Cattle Council's current workload and increasing expectations from the beef production sector, it is becoming evident that current funding levels are inadequate."

CCA's discussion paper also calls for comment on proposed changes to representation and the structure of the organisation.