Daily News Update, Dec. 6, 2007

USDA announces beef promotion board appointments

Thirty-nine appointees to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board were announced Dec. 6 by Acting Agriculture Secretary Chuck Conner. All appointees will serve three-year terms beginning Feb.3, 2008.

Several of the new appointees are members of Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, including Brian C. Healey of Davis, Okla. and from Texas, Leroy Ezer, Anahuac; Austin E. Brown III, Beeville; and Mary Lou Bradley, Memphis. TSCRA member Richard J. Hodge from Pledger, Texas, was reappointed to the board.

The board oversees collection of $1-per-head on all cattle sold in the United States, and $1-per-head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products. In addition, the board contracts with established national, non-profit, and industry-governed organizations to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications.

The 104-member board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The agriculture secretary selects the appointees nominated by beef, veal, dairy and importer certified organizations. USDA's Agricultural Marketing Service monitors operation of the board.