Cattlemen's Beef Board
Matt Grabbe of Hays has been appointed to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB). Grabbe was nominated by Kansas Farm Bureau.
The CBB is responsible for guiding the national Beef Checkoff Program.
“After serving in several roles with Kansas Farm Bureau, the opportunity arose to become a CBB member, and I took the leap,” Grabbe said. “I’m looking forward to learning more about the role the CBB plays in the beef industry.”
Grabbe farms and ranches with his family near Hays. Grabbe Farms includes spring- and fall-calving cow herds and a backgrounding operation that purchases cattle directly from other producers, develops them in a grower yard and maintains ownership through harvest. The family also raises wheat, milo, corn, soybeans and alfalfa, as well as feed for its cattle.
“We’re pleased to welcome Matt to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board,” said Cheryl DeVuyst, 2026 CBB chair. “His hands-on experience across cattle production and crop farming, along with his service in agricultural organizations, will bring a valuable producer perspective to the board. Matt understands the importance of producers having a voice in decisions that affect the beef industry.”
The CBB consists of 99 members, including domestic beef, dairy and veal producers, as well as importers of beef and beef products. Producer representation on the Board is based on cattle inventory in each state while importer representation is based on a conversion of the volume of imports into live animal equivalencies.
Each Beef Board member is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture from nominations submitted by certified nominating organizations that represent beef and dairy producers in each state or region. Importer appointments are chosen from nominations by importer associations.
Grabbe currently serves as president of the Ellis County Farm Bureau and previously served on the Kansas Farm Bureau Beef Advisory Committee and Resolutions Committee. He has also worked as assistant fire chief for his local volunteer fire department. In 2023, Grabbe Farms was recognized as a Farm Family of the Year by the Kansas Farm Bureau Association.
“Producers need to have a voice in every industry organization that makes decisions at a higher level,” Grabbe said. “I’m excited about the CBB’s work to keep the public informed about the benefits of beef and look forward to contributing a working producer’s perspective.”