Washington State Beef Commission

What is the Washington State Beef Commission and what is our mission? Get the basics of how the Beef Checkoff program works in Washington.

Mission:

"To increase demand for Beef by enhancing trust and connecting our beef community from pasture to plate."

The Washington State Beef Commission is a state agency funded by the $1.50 per head assessment on all cattle sold in Washington State per the Federal Beef Promotion and Research Act & Order and Washington State RCW 16.67. One dollar remains in Washington for local beef promotion, while fifty cents is forwarded to the Cattlemen's Beef Board. The purpose of the Commission is to fund beef promotion, research and consumer education activities supporting Washington State’s $5.7 billion beef industry.

The Beef Commission was created by the Washington State Legislature in 1969 under RCW 16.67. The WSBC operates under the guidance of its Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of representatives from each of the state's industry sectors:

Cow/Calf Ranchers

Dairy Farmers

Cattle Feeders

Livestock Markets

Beef Packers

In addition, a representative from the Washington Department of Agriculture is a voting Board member. The nine board members are appointed by the Director of Agriculture and direct the actions of the WSBC through sector-specific insight and the pursuit of the WSBC's Mission. A representative of the Cattlemen's Beef Board is a non-voting member on the Board of Directors.