In accordance with Federal law, the U.S. Department of Agriculture today announced a decrease in membership on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board (Board) from 106 to 103 members.

The law authorizing the Board requires its size to change with shifts in cattle inventory levels. This decrease is due to changes in cattle inventories since the last Board reapportionment in 2008. The current reapportionment shows that domestic cattle producer representation on the Board decreased from 97 to 96, and importer representation decreased from nine to seven.

The decrease is based on requirements of the Beef Promotion and Research Order, authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The Order provides for a 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.

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. In considering reapportionment, the Board reviewed cattle inventories, as well as cattle, beef, and beef product import data, for 2008 through 2010. The revised representation is effective for nominations made in the summer of 2011 for appointments effective early in the year 2012.

Details of the final rule may be found in the July 18, 2011 Federal Register. Copies of the final rule and additional information are available at www.regulations.gov, or from Kenneth R. Payne, Chief; Marketing Programs Branch, Room 2638-S; Livestock and Seed Program, AMS, USDA; STOP 0251; 1400 Independence Avenue, SW.; Washington, D.C. 20250-0251; telephone number (202) 720-1115; fax (202) 720-1125.