The
Wyoming Beef Council is an organization working on behalf of the cattle producers of Wyoming to increase demand for beef through promotion, education and research. The programs are funded by the$1-per-head beef checkoff collected on all Wyoming cattle when they are sold. The Wyoming Beef Council office is located in downtown Cheyenne, at 113 East 20th Street.
Five Wyoming beef producers serve on the Wyoming Beef Council and direct the activities funded by the beef checkoff collected in Wyoming. The producers are appointed by Wyoming's Governor to serve three year terms. The Council consists of three producers of range cattle, one dairy producer and one feeder. For a list of the members of the Wyoming Beef Council or to apply to fill a Wyoming Beef Council vacancy, click here.
The Wyoming Beef Council is one of 45 state beef councils. Fifty cents of every checkoff dollar collected goes to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board in Denver, Colorado, which oversees checkoff programs. The remaining 50 cents is held in Wyoming for state coordinated activities. For more information about the priorities, investments and goals of the Wyoming Beef Council, click here to open the Wyoming Beef Council Marketing Plan.
The Wyoming Beef Council is also affiliated with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, headquartered in Denver, Colorado. Beef promotion, information and research programs are coordinated between the 45 state beef councils, the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, and the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and other beef checkoff contractors.
Beef promotion efforts include the popular "Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner.®" Advertising campaign. New marketing efforts are focusing on promotion of value-added, fully cooked beef products designed to meet today’s consumers’ needs of quick, convenient meals. Other examples of current Beef Council programs include nutrition education for health professionals, consumer educators and the public; foreign market development for beef; and partnerships with with meat retailers and food service operators to keep beef 'center of the plate.'
Why is there a beef checkoff?
Beef producers created the checkoff as a self-help promotion, research and information program to influence demand for beef. It was approved in 1988 by 79 percent of beef producers in a referendum after grassroots input shaped the program:
- All producers and importers pay the same $1 per head.
- Producers in the state control one half of the money collected by state beef councils.
- All national checkoff-funded programs are budgeted and evaluated by the Cattlemen's Beef Board.
- Beef Board members are nominated by fellow beef producers.
What can the checkoff do?
Our checkoff is the only industry-wide, self-help tool we have to fight for the success of the industry. The beef checkoff acts as a catalyst for change. The checkoff doesn't own cattle, packing plants, or retail outlets. It can't single-handedly turn around a bad market. What beef producers wanted when they created the checkoff was a way to stimulate others to sell more beef and stimulate consumers to buy more beef. This is done through initiatives such as advertising, public relations, educational programs and new product development.
What can't the checkoff do?
By law, our checkoff funds cannot be used to influence government policy or action, including lobbying. Beef checkoff funds also cannot be used to research or promote live cattle. Funds must be used to promote, research, enhance the end product, beef.
Additional Resources:
For a copy of our annual independent financial audit, please send a request in writing to the WBC Executive Director.