Apply Now for USDA Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board Seats

By Scout Nelson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting nominations for the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. The agency is seeking qualified cattle producers and importers to fill 25 board positions with three-year terms that begin in February 2027. The nomination deadline is July 24, 2026.

The board represents cattle producers and importers from several states and regions across the country. Vacancies are available for representatives from Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas. Positions are also open for the Southwest Unit, representing California and Nevada, and the Importer Unit.

The Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board was created under the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985. The board has 99 members representing 34 individual states, four regional units, and one importer unit. Members help guide programs that support beef research, education, consumer promotion, and market development for the U.S. beef industry.

Eligible nominees include beef producers who own cattle in the United States and importers who bring cattle or beef products into the country. Candidates must be nominated by a certified producer organization and complete the required application before being considered. The U.S. Secretary of Agriculture will make the final appointments from the submitted nominations.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides nomination forms, certified producer organization lists, and additional board information through its official resources. Producers interested in serving are encouraged to review the requirements and submit their applications before the deadline. For more information, contact Kinley Hartman at (816) 618-4266 or Kinley.hartman@usda.gov.

Since 1966, Congress has authorized industry-funded research and promotion boards to strengthen agricultural industries through cooperative investments. These programs help expand domestic and international markets, improve research efforts, and increase consumer awareness of agricultural products.

AMS currently oversees 21 research and promotion boards to ensure financial accountability and program integrity. These oversight activities are funded through industry assessments rather than taxpayer dollars.

Photo Credit: usda