Idaho Beef Council -- Council History

Council History

The Idaho Beef Council was created in 1967 by cattlemen as a marketing organization for the Idaho beef industry, and to support a national beef marketing effort. Specifically, the Idaho Beef Council seeks to identify opportunities and implement programs which enhance the attributes of beef and the beef industry as viewed by consumers.

An eight member board of directors guides the Idaho Beef Council. The Council consists of three cow/calf producers (one of which is a CattleWomen), two feeders, two dairymen, and one auction market representative. Idaho Beef Council members are nominated by their respective organizations and appointed by the Governor for a three year term.

Idaho Beef Council income is generated from a $1 per head check-off collected on the sale of all bovine animals sold in Idaho. Fifty cents of each dollar collected is forwarded directly to the national Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board. In accordance with IBC state statute, at least 20% of remaining in-state funds shall be expended to a national beef promotion program, (currently the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association-NCBA), for use in promotional, research and educational activities. Idaho Beef Council board members, staff, and other Idaho Cattlemen serve as directors and sit on committees of NCBA and the Beef Board to help shape national programs.

The Idaho Beef Council is one of 44 state beef councils organized to collect the national beef check-off initiated on October 1, 1986. On May 10, 1988, Idaho beef producers showed their support for the beef check-off by overwhelmingly approving the national referendum with an 87% approval rate.