Grilling season is here! As beef enthusiasts across the state dawn their aprons and click their grilling tongs, May Beef Month is a celebration of the farmers who are a crucial part of Wisconsin’s heritage, economy, and future.
Wisconsin has a robust beef industry, ranking ninth in the nation for the number of cattle and calves that call the Badger state home, 3.5 million total (1). The value of those cattle and calves to the state is almost as much as Wisconsin’s soybeans, vegetables, melons, fruits, and nuts combined when comparing cash receipts (2).
Whether it’s a Ribeye Steak on the grill or a Chuck Roast for the family, customers are choosing beef. In fact, per capita consumption of beef and veal is nearly 59 pounds a year. That’s almost 236 quarter-pound burgers!
This May Beef Month, there are many ways to celebrate:
–Keep an eye out for a local steak fry in the area or join the Wisconsin Beef Council for the 2nd Annual Burgers & Buns Fun Run with both a virtual option and an in-person opportunity at the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center in Manitowoc.
–Ask for a tour from one of nearly 14,000 beef farms and 6,500 dairy farms spread across the state who raise this high-quality protein. Check out Wisconsin Beef Council’s ‘Wisconsin Way’ video for a
brief tour of the state’s beef industry.
–Visit one of Wisconsin’s more than 500 licensed meat processors in 68 of 72 counties (3). Each has a flavorful twist on snack sticks, smoked meat, and classic cuts.
–Grill like you mean it with beef, a nutrient powerhouse that supplies half the daily value of protein in just one 3 oz serving. Filled with 10 essential nutrients like zinc, iron, and B vitamins, beef can help our bodies feel more satisfied with fewer calories.
Beef’s great versatility means there are plenty of options for every taste and budget. Find inspiration from simple steak swaps to budget-friendly recipes and affordable beef cuts for families. Stay up to date with the latest recipes and beef industry news at www.beeftips.com!
Sources:
- https://downloads.usda.library.cornell.edu/usda-
esmis/files/h702q636h/pn89f870n/jw828f69f/catl0122.pdf - https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Wisconsin/Publications/Annual_Statistical
_Bulletin/2021AgStats-WI.pdf - Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Livestock and Meat
Specialist Jeff Swenson
