Missouri Beef Industry Council

May Declared Beef Month in Missouri

Missourians will be capping off May Beef Month with the official start of grilling season this Memorial Day weekend.

Governor Jay Nixon met with representatives of the Missouri FFA and the Missouri Beef Industry Council at the Capitol in Jefferson City last week to officially proclaimed May as Beef Month. The group presented the governor with a Power of Protein t-shirt, a barbeque utensil set and lots of beef sticks.

“Whereas, Missouri’s beef industry is indicative of the commitment of Missouri’s farmers and ranchers to good stewardship, providing the world with a safe and abundant food supply,” reads part of the proclamation.

“It’s just one small way that we bring attention to an industry that is so vital to our state’s economy,” said Missouri Director of Agriculture Jon Hagler. “I really appreciate Governor Nixon making that recognition and bringing added attention to our wonderful livestock producers all across this state.”

Missouri Beef Industry Council Director of Marketing Dawn Thurnau says there are several reasons May was chosen as the month to celebrate beef in the state.

“The first is because it officially kicks off grilling season,” Thurnau said. “But also, for us cattle producers, May is also the start of calving season.”

It also gives beef producers the opportunity to point out just how important the industry is to Missouri, as the third largest cow-calf production state in the nation and sixth in total cattle numbers. About half of the state’s agricultural revenue is derived from livestock, and nearly half of that is from beef cattle production.