Celebrating Beef Cattle and the Beef Industry
In May we celebrate national beef month in the agriculture world. As of January 1, there were 91.9 million head of cattle and calves on farms in the United States. National Beef Month is a time to show our appreciation for the cattle ranchers who rise before the sun each day to provide food for the world. More than ever, ranchers are sharing their stories on social media platforms to share what animal agriculture means to them and why it’s important. As a result, they are gaining increased recognition for their role in sustainability and global food security.
Educating consumers about beef nutrition is also an important part of Beef Month. Eating beef provides essential nutrients, including protein, iron, and B vitamins. A single 3-ounce serving supplies 25 grams of protein, about 50% of the recommended daily value. All beef has to meet a certain set of safety standards and follow strict government guidelines for it to be able to make it to your plate, with all of this in place you can ensure that the meat you are eating is safe. The United States produced 27.95 billion pounds of beef in 2021, producing the most beef in the World. On average, a single American consumes 57 pounds of beef in a single year. The beef industry generated roughly $167 billion in gross sales in 2020, it also provides stellar trade and employment for the United States.
The U.S. has the fourth largest cattle inventory in the world, with more than 94 million head of beef cattle being produced by 1 million beef producers in the U.S. Of these operations, 97% are family owned. The U.S. provides 25 percent of the world’s beef, but only has 10 percent of the world’s cattle. Texas is the top producer of beef in the U.S., followed by Nebraska, Kansas, California, and Oklahoma. The average American eats about 65 pounds of beef each year.
In terms of the Kansas agriculture industry, the beef cattle sector is the single largest sector and is recognized nationally and globally for raising healthy cattle and producing high-quality beef. Kansas is ranked in the top five for largest number of cattle ranches and feed yards and has a significant role in the nation’s beef processing as well. Resources to support beef cattle are plentiful in Kansas, from the abundant feed supply to the pastureland to the efforts to conserve the water supply. Kansas ranked third nationally with 6.25 million cattle on ranches and feed yards as of January 1, 2023. That’s a little over twice the state’s human population of more than 2.9 million. Kansas ranked sixth nationally in beef cow numbers as of January 1, 2023, with 1.32 million head. Meat packing prepared meat products manufacturing make up the largest share of the food processing industry in the state. This industry provides employment for over 31,440 people in Kansas. Beef cattle farming and ranching has a direct output of about $’6.3 billion and employs nearly 34,130 Kansans. In addition, animal slaughtering and meat processed from carcasses, except poultry, has a direct output of $11.2 billion and supports a total of 17,292 jobs. So, the next time you take a bite of your hamburger or steak, remember to pause and give thanks to the farmers who made that available.
Happy Beef month!