A special commission has made recommendations to the National Cattlemen's Beef Association on ways to improve operation. Among the recommendations are stronger producer influence in the national organization and a stronger state-national partnership.

Also recommended is giving more responsibility and authority to affiliates, beef councils and producers. Under a heading "governance that works better," the commission recommends that a "better functioning board of directors" be put in place that is more streamlined than the 361 member board now functioning.

A Product Council should be established for packers, processors and marketers of beef, and a smaller executive committee be established "that is better connected to the country." A "modest increase in use of proxy voting" should be considered "to enhance efficiency and flexibility."

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association and U.S. Meat Export Federation should develop and implement "a global strategy for beef," says the commission, and increase coordination of their planning, budget and operating committees.

Action will be taken on the recommendations during the annual conference of the NCBA in Phoenix, AZ, Jan. 26-29. Until then, they are being distributed to the industry for review and discussion.