Nutritious and Delicious: May is Beef Month

05-01-2015 in Cattle

By: Haley Banwart, CSIF Communications Intern

Gather around the table and enjoy your favorite mouthwatering beef recipes in celebration of Iowa Beef Month. With grilling season just around the corner, it is the perfect time of the year to sizzle up a tender steak or juicy hamburger among the company of friends and family.

Beef by the Numbers

Iowa is home to 3.9 million cattle and ranks fourth in the nation for number of cattle on feed. Beef cattle are raised in all 99 counties across the state and can be found on over 26,000 Iowa family farms. The Iowa cattle industry stimulates over 39,000 jobs in the state. In 2013 alone, cattle contributed over $6 billion in business activity to Iowa’s economy.

From Farm to Fork

Iowa cattle farmers are dedicated to providing quality beef products by responsibly caring for their animals and the environment. Raising cattle today requires a delicate balance between meeting growing global beef demand and being environmentally responsible. Farmers take pride in their commitment to raise livestock with little environmental impact, providing beneficial nutrients to the soil and a great tasting product to the consumer.

A+ Protein Product

In addition to the economic and environmental benefits, cattle production also offers nutritional value to beef lovers. Beef is one of the best sources of high quality protein. A single three ounce serving provides 51 percent of daily recommended protein. With over 30 lean cuts to choose from, beef contains more essential nutrients than many other sources of plant based protein. Ten essential nutrients can be found within beef products including iron, zinc, phosphorus and other vitamins.

There are countless reasons to support the beef industry considering the economic, environmental and health aspects. When firing up the grill this summer, remember to thank Iowa’s cattle farmers!

Visit www.iabeef.org/maybeefmonth.aspx for more information on cattle statistics, beef recipes and more.

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