The Georgia Beef Board is an organization working for the beef producers of Georgia in areas of education, promotion and research.

The Georgia Beef Board office is located in Macon.  This office is also home to the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association, the membership division of Georgia’s beef industry.

An 11-member board oversees and directs the activities of the Georgia Beef Board.  Three cattle producers are elected by the Georgia Cattlemen’s Association board, while other representatives include members from the Georgia Milk Producers, Georgia Livestock Markets and Georgia Farm Bureau.

The Georgia Beef Board is one of 45 state beef councils funded by the beef checkoff program.  The beef checkoff program requires cattle producers to pay $1 per head on all cattle sold.  Of the $1 per head collected for the checkoff, 50 cents remains in Georgia for state coordinated activities while the other half is sent to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board in Denver, CO, for national checkoff funded programs.

The Georgia Beef Board is also affiliated with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, headquartered in Denver, CO. 

The Cattlemen’s Beef Board and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and state beef councils work together to coordinate beef promotion, information and research.

National beef promotion efforts include the "Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner." advertising campaign; new marketing efforts focused on promotion of value-added, fully cooked beef products designed to meet the quick, convenient meal needs of today’s consumer; nutrition education for health professionals, consumer educators and the public; education kits for youth in grades K-12; foreign market development for Georgia beef; and efforts to work with meat retailers to make shopping for beef easier.

Why is there a beef checkoff?
Beef producers created our 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 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. Our checkoff acts as a catalyst for change. Our checkoff doesn't own cattle, packing plants or retail outlets and can't single-handedly turn around a bad market. What we, as beef producers, wanted when we created the checkoff was a way to stimulate foodservice and retail to sell more beef, and consumers to buy more beef. This can be done through initiatives such as advertising, public relations efforts, educational programs and new product development assistance.

What can't the checkoff do?
By law, our checkoff funds cannot be used to influence government policy or action, including lobbying.

For more information on the Beef Checkoff program, visit out Frequently Asked Questions link below.

FAQ Page: The Beef Checkoff – How Does It Work?

"Recipe of the Month Club" newsletter
Would you like to receive free beef recipes every month via e-mail? Then join the Georgia Beef Board's Recipe of the Month Club. Simply complete the form below and you will receive free beef recipes and nutritional information every month. It is completely free, and you can discontinue your membership at any time. Join today! Click Here To Sign Up

Georgia Beef Board Staff

Jim Collins
Executive Vice President
Georgia Cattlemen's Association and Georgia Beef Board
jim@gabeef.org

Clay Talton
Director of Consumer Information
and GBB Program Director
Georgia Beef Board
clay@gabeef.org

Julie Watson
Coordinator of Public Relations
Georgia Beef Board
julie@gabeef.org

Tricia Combes
Administrative Program Specialist
Georgia Beef Board
tricia@gabeef.org 

Michele Creamer
Business Manager
Georgia Cattlemen's Association
michele@gabeef.org

Sherri Morrow
Membership and Facilities Coordinator
Georgia Cattlemen's Association
sherri@gabeef.org

Georgia Beef Board - Board of Directors

The Georgia Beef Board is made up of representatives from the Georgia Cattlemen's Association, Georgia Farm Bureau, Georgia Milk Producers and Georgia Livestock Markets. Each member serves a three–year term. Below is a list of current board members.