USDA Reduces Beef Board Membership

WASHINGTON - Feb 10/05 - SNS -- The USDA lowered the number of members on the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board from 108 to 104.

This decrease is due to changes in cattle inventories since the last board reapportionment in 2002. The decrease is based on requirements of the 1986 Beef Promotion and Research Order, authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The order provides for a board review of geographic distribution of U.S. cattle inventories and the volume of imported cattle, beef and beef products at least every three years and not more than every two years. Board membership then must be reapportioned accordingly.

Domestic cattle producer representation on the board will decrease from 100 to 96, while importer representation will remain unchanged with a total of eight members. Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska and Wyoming will each lose one member.

A state or unit must have an inventory of 500,000 head of cattle to be represented on the board and is entitled to an additional member for each additional 1,000,000 head of cattle. The board used an average of USDA's Jan. 1 cattle inventory for 2002, 2003 and 2004 to determine representation. The revised representation will be effective with nominations in 2005 for appointments effective early in the year 2006.