Support farmers during may beef month
APRIL 2022| kaitlyn riley, WBC director of communications and outreach
VERONA, Wis. ― 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 total1. 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 receipts2.
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:
- Attend a May Beef Moth event: 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. The Wisconsin Beef Council is also teaming up with The Capital Times, Madison Media Partners, and The River Food Pantry to host Madison Burger Week May 20-27. Taste test burgers at participating restaurants and vote for your favorite!
- Engage with your local farmer: There are nearly 14,000 beef farms and 6,500 dairy farms spread across the state who raise this high-quality protein. Ask for a tour, find your local farmer on Facebook, or create a conversation at the farmer’s market to learn more about how your beef is grown. Unsure of where to begin? Check out Wisconsin Beef Council’s ‘Wisconsin Way’ video for a brief tour of the state’s beef industry.
- Visit an area meat processor: Wisconsin is home to more than 500 licensed meat establishments in 68 of the 72 counties3. Each has a flavorful twist on snack sticks, smoked meat, classic cuts, and more. This sector of the industry employs more than 105,300 people and has a $44.3 billion economic impact.
- Grill like you mean it with beef: Beef is 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.
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
- Contribution of Agriculture to the Wisconsin Economy – Dr. Steven Deller University of Wisconsin Extension 2017 Update, August 2019.
# # #
The Wisconsin Beef Council is a producer-led non-profit organization funded by the $1.00 per head Beef Checkoff. Half of the dollar remains in Wisconsin for local beef promotion, while the other half is used by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board to fund national projects. The purpose of the Council is to fund beef promotion, research and consumer education activities to grow beef demand and support Wisconsin’s $2.1 billion beef industry. The WBC operates under the guidance of its Board of Directors. The Board is comprised of representatives from cattle-related organizations around the state of Wisconsin.