American
beef feeds the families of the world...
and it all begins on the farm. The beef you cook at home or
order in a restaurant comes from cattle that spend the vast
majority of their lives grazing in fields on family-owned farms
and ranches around the country.
There are about 800,000 cattle producers across the country
who are dedicated to caring for their herds and producing safe,
wholesome beef. For most beef producers, raising cattle
is a family tradition passed down through generations.
Cattle farmers and ranchers are an important foundation of American
values and they are proud
of what they do. Beef producers spend most of their days taking
care of their animals and the land because it's the right thing
to do and because it's the only way they can sustain their way
of life for future generations.
Who We
Are:
Cattle and beef production represent the
largest single segment of American agriculture. In fact, the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says more farms are classified
as beef cattle operations (35%) than any other type of farm.
Most farms and ranches in the United States, including cattle
ranches, are family owned and operated, but cattle operations
have long been considered multi-generational endeavors. An Iowa
survey of cattle producers showed that 60 percent of producers
in that state alone expect to pass their operation on to their
children.
There are about 800,000 beef producers in the United States,
who are responsible for nearly 100 million head of beef cattle.
According to USDA, producers of meat animals in 2005 were
responsible for more than $64 billion in added value to the
U.S. economy, as measured by
their contribution to the national output.
Learn
more about how the beef industry contributes to the U.S. economy.
The Beef
Industry from Farm to Fork:
The beef industry is complex, with many
types of producers active in all 50 states. Although each segment
is very different from the next, they must work together to
bring a high quality, safe, wholesome, nutritious and delicious
product to dinner tables around the world. From cow-calf producers,
livestock auction markets, stockers, feeders, meat packing plants
and retail/foodservice outlets, ultimately the consumer determines
how beef is produced along the chain by choosing the beef products
they want and at what price.
The increasing availability of lean beef
options on menus and at local grocery stores is one example
of beef producers reading the demand signals from consumers.
When Americans started demanding leaner products, the beef production
chain delivered and now there are 29 cuts of beef that meet
government guidelines for lean.
Learn
more about how beef gets to your plate.
Grain-fed Beef Products:
Family farmers and ranchers have finished
cattle on grain for more than 100 years. Cattle feeding became
more prevalent after World War I and through the Great Depression,
but was not fully developed on a commercial scale until after
World War II, when grain was plentiful, the economy was robust
and consumers demanded tender, great tasting beef that was available
year-round.
U.S. grain-fed beef has earned a worldwide reputation for its
quality, consistency and taste. It has tenderness and a rich
flavor that taste tests show are important to consumers. In
fact, consumers will go out of their way to select beef cuts
with these grain-fed characteristics.
Learn more about how
cattle feeding facilities are used to produce world-renowned
grain-fed beef.
Animal Welfare:
Cattle producers are committed to caring
for their herds and producing safe, wholesome beef for consumers
around the world. Cattlemen have long recognized the need to
properly care for their livestock. Sound animal husbandry practices
- based on research and decades of practical experience - affect
the well-being of cattle, individual animal health and herd
productivity.
The Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program was initiated in 1987
to provide cattle producers with the tools and training necessary
to assure animal health and well-being as well as a safe, quality
product for consumers. These tools are the result of years of
research and experience and are continually updated to provide
producers with the latest in animal management information and
technology.
Learn
more about how producers care for their cattle.
Environment:
America's farmers and ranchers are committed
to caring for the nation's environmental resources. Ranchers
depend on healthy, natural resources for their livelihood and
therefore, place high value on stewardship of the land. Good
environmental practices not only conserve and improve natural
resources, but also enhance the productivity of the land.
Many beef cattle producers practice natural
resource management activities including soil tests, brush and
weed control programs, grazing management plans, minimum or
conservation tillage systems and range quality and grass utilization
monitoring. The government cooperates with industry to provide
incentives for leaders in environmental conservation, but it
also closely regulates large operations through the Clean Water
Act.
Learn
more about how producers care for the country's natural resources.
