Cattle Industry Board

Purpose

The Cattle Industry Board shall be responsible for the promotion and economic development of the Virginia cattle industry and of beef products, including the improvement of the commercial value of cattle for Virginia producers.The Board may expend funds collected pursuant to § 3.2-1306 to provide for programs to serve the Virginia cattle industry for market development, education, publicity, research, and the promotion of the sale and use of cattle and beef products, to manage the funds so as to accumulate a reserve for contingencies, to establish an office and employ such technical, professional, and other assistants as may be required, and to contract for market development, publicity, research, advertising, and other promotional services. The Board shall establish a meeting place anywhere within the Commonwealth, but the selection of the location shall be guided by consideration for the convenience of the majority of those most likely to have business with the Board or to be affected by this chapter. An annual report shall be made by the Board to the Commissioner and shall be published as a public record to include a statement on receipts and itemized disbursements of the Virginia Cattle Industry Fund.

Term

Four years

Composition

1. The Board shall be composed of 11 members, each of whom shall be a citizen of the United States and a resident of the Commonwealth. Each member shall have been actively engaged in the type of production or business that he will represent on the Board for at least five years, shall derive a substantial proportion of his income from such production or business, and shall continue to be actively engaged in such production or business during his term.
2. The Governor shall appoint the members, who represent the cattle industry as follows:
   1. Six beef cattle producers, one from each cattle production area of the Commonwealth. The six areas shall be designated by the Board in general accordance with census-based feeder cattle populations and updated every five years using USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service information.
   2. Two producers doing business in any of the six cattle production areas.
   3. One dairy producer.
   4. Two handlers.
3. Such appointments shall be made by the Governor and confirmed in accordance with § 2.2-107. The Governor shall be guided in his appointments by nominations made by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Cattlemen's Association, Virginia Livestock Markets Association, or other agricultural organizations representing Virginia cattle producers. Each such agricultural organization may nominate producers from each production area or for each Board position. The recommendations shall be submitted prior to the expiration of the member's term for which the nomination is being provided. If any such agricultural organization fails to provide its nominations, the Governor may appoint other nominees who meet the criteria set out in this subsection. However, no nomination shall be considered if the nominee currently serves on a board appointed pursuant to the USDA-approved collection and administration of the National Beef Checkoff in accordance with the federal 1985 National Beef Promotion Act and Order.

Vacant Seats

No seats are available at this time. If you are interested in joining this board in the future, please submit an application here.

Current Board Members

Mr Perry J. Huffman

Animal Handler Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Cecelia Moyer

Dairy Producer Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Mrs Julia B. Jones

Cattle Producer Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Walter H. Shelton

Area 6 Cattle Producer Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Robert F. Threewitts

Area 4 Cattle Producer Membership expires on 6/30/2026

Mr Carl N. McNeil

Area 2 Cattle Producer Membership expires on 6/30/2026

William David Coleman

Animal Handler Membership expires on 6/30/2028

John Smith

Cattle Producer Membership expires on 6/30/2028

Mr. Harry R Lloyd

Area 5 Cattle Producer Membership expires on 6/30/2028

William A. Tucker

Area 3 Cattle Producer Membership expires on 6/30/2028

Matthew Christopher Hill

Area 1 Cattle Producer Membership expires on 6/30/2028