CHEYENNE – Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead recently appointed JW Rankin of Shawnee, and reappointed Lynn George of Cody, to the Wyoming Beef Council.  Rankin replaces Tom Wright of Newcastle.  George is serving a second three-year term.

The Wyoming Beef Council is a five-member board of beef producers appointed by the governor to increase demand for beef through promotion, education, and research. Three members of the board are producers of range cattle, one is a dairy farmer, and one represents the feeder sector of the cattle industry.  Rankin is a producer of range cattle, the George family owns and operates a dairy. 

WBC programs are funded by the $1-per-head Beef Checkoff collected on all Wyoming cattle. According to the Beef Promotion and Research Act and Order, fifty cents of each dollar collected is sent to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board while Wyoming cattlemen who serve on the WBC determine the expenditure of the remaining fifty cents under the purvue of the Federal Beef Promotion Act and Order. 

“I am honored to serve on the Wyoming Beef Council and represent Wyoming’s cattle industry,” says Rankin. “My family has been ranching in Wyoming since 1946 and I look forward to helping promote beef and continuing the success of the Wyoming Beef Council.”  Rankin is active in the agricultural community and is a member of many stock grower and livestock groups. He is also a rural volunteer fire fighter.

“The Wyoming Beef Council works to provide credible information and innovative ways for beef to be part of a healthy lifestyle,” says George.  “I’m happy to be a part of that conversation.”  George is also a 4H Leader and member of several community boards.