The beef R&P program operates as the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board. The program's goal is to maintain and expand domestic and foreign markets and uses for beef and beef products. The program is funded by a mandatory assessment of $1 per head collected each time cattle are sold. Imported cattle, beef, and beef products have a comparable assessment.
The Cattleman’s Beef Promotion and Research Board receives about $42 million of the approximately $75 million in assessments collected, with the remainder going to Qualified State Beef Councils. The Board runs the industry’s research and promotion activities under AMS oversight. From 2014 through 2018, the Beef R&P Program has enhanced the demand for beef at an estimated rate of return of $11.91 for every assessment dollar invested in the program, according to the latest economic evaluation.
The program was created and is administered under the authority of the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 (pdf). It became effective on July 18, 1986, when the Beef Promotion and Research Order (pdf) was issued. Assessments began on October 1, 1986. View the Beef Promotion and Research Board Federal Register History
Organizational Structure
The Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board has 101 members representing 34 States and 4 geographical units, with 1 additional unit representing importers. Each year, the Secretary appoints one-third of all Board members from cattle producers and importers nominated by eligible organizations.
View the list of Board members (pdf)
View the list of eligible organizations (pdf)
Visit the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board’s Web Site >
AMS Policy on Board Diversity: AMS policy is that the diversity of the board should reflect the diversity of their industries in experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. When submitting nominations, the industry must consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.
Forms
- Form LP-25 - Application for Certification of Organization or Association
- Form LP-11 Certification of Non-Producer Status (For the Reseller)
- Conflict of Interest Statement for Beef Promotion Operating Committee
- Form LP 26 - Nomination of Producers for Appointment to the Beef Board
- LP 26 - 1- Nomination of Importers for Appointment to the Beef Board
- Form LP-10 Monthly Report and Remittance for All Cattle Purchased or Marketed
- Beef Board AD-755 Form—Advisory Committee Membership Background Information
- LP-12 Form Beef Nominee's Agreement to Serve
2020 Petition for Referendum on the Beef Promotion and Research Order
On July 2, 2020, AMS received notification that a petition was initiated requesting a referendum on the termination of the Beef Promotion and Research Order. Petitioners had from July 2, 2020, to July 2, 2021, to gather signatures. However, on August 3, 2021, the USDA granted a 60-day extension to gather signatures given the extenuating circumstance of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated challenges. The end of the collection period is October 3, 2021. The signatures must be submitted to AMS by November 3, 2021, for validation. The Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 requires a representative group comprising of 10 percent or more of the number of cattle producers to petition the Secretary of Agriculture for a referendum. The 2017 Census of Agriculture estimates that there were 882,692 farms with cattle and calves in the United States; therefore, 88,269 valid signatures are needed for the Secretary of Agriculture to determine whether a referendum would take place.
- Letter to Petitioners to close the petition process (pdf)
- Letter to Petitioners (pdf)
- Guidelines to Petition the Secretary of Agriculture for a Referendum on the Beef Promotion and Research Order (pdf)
- Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Beef Checkoff Program Petition Process
Organic Assessment Exemption
R&P programs allow persons that produce, handle, market, process, manufacture, feed or import “organic” and “100 percent organic” products to be exempt from paying assessments regardless of whether they are a “split” operation.
Changes to Beef and Soybean Checkoff Programs
On May 13, 2019, AMS published a final rule to change the beef and soybean checkoff programs that will allow producers, under certain circumstances, to request that their assessments paid to a qualified state board or council be redirected to the national program.
- Notice to Trade
- Final Rule
- Form QSBC-1 CBB Producer Redirection of Checkoff Assessments (pdf)
- Frequently Asked Questions (pdf)
Mailing Address
USDA, AMS, LP, RPD
1400 Independence Avenue, SW.
STOP 0251; Room 2625-S
Washington, DC 20250-0251
USDA Oversight Contact
Lacey Heddlesten, Agricultural Marketing Specialist (oversees Cattleman’s Beef Promotion and Research Board)
Lacey.Heddlesten@usda.gov
620-717-3834