By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

FRANKFORT, Ky. — As the summer season gets ready to roll across the country, the idea of grills firing conjures up images of burgers and steaks – at least that is the hope of the beef industry as Kentucky and several other states celebrate it.

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear signed a proclamation declaring May as Beef Month in the Commonwealth, at one of the state’s premier beef cattle farms, Taylor Cattle Farm in Crestwood.

“I urge all Kentuckians to support Kentucky’s beef industry, and to salute the cattle producers for their contribution to Kentucky’s agricultural and rural economy, during the month of May,” said Beshear. “The Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund has helped in making this industry top-notch, with over $47.5 million going into projects related to Kentucky’s cattle industry.”

The beef industry has seen this grow into the largest cattle producing state east of the Mississippi, with 2.4 million head on Kentucky farms. According to information from the Governor’s Office of Agricultural Policy, “In 2007, cash receipts from the sale of cattle and calves were more than $605 million, making a vital contribution to the economy of Kentucky. As one of the largest segments of American agriculture, the beef industry ranks third largest among agricultural commodities in Kentucky.”

Alison Smith with the Kentucky Beef Council (KBC) said the organization is hosting a media tour to get the message out on the virtues of beef consumption.

“The beef checkoff represents the 40,000 beef producers and we’re just trying to get the word out during the month of May that beef is a great option for the grill,” she said. “We are hosting a media tour that kicks off with Beef Night at the Ball Park with the Lexington Legends, and we’ll go until the end of the month finishing up on Memorial Day and focusing on the power of protein, helping consumers see how beef fits into their everyday budget on the financial side, but also on the nutrition side.”

Smith said one thing the tour will focus on is the protein beef provides. “What research has shown, and there has been a lot of research funded by the checkoff program, is that moderate amounts of protein are definitely a benefit to good health, while incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and dairy. That’s really what we want to tout on the media tour.”

Beef checkoff dollars have been used for years to promote the industry, creating one of the most recognized ad campaigns in history in “Beef, It’s What’s for Dinner.”

“It’s very important that we continue to utilize checkoff dollars to help educate the consumer, but also continue the research so we have science-based evidence. That’s truly how decisions need to be made, based on science,” said Smith.

Some of the other states celebrating May as Beef Month include Missouri, Illinois, Iowa and Michigan. John Kleiboeker, executive director of the Missouri Beef Industry Council, said May was chosen many years ago because it’s a great time of the year for both producers and consumers of beef.

“The grass starts greening up and cattle go out to pasture and producers enjoy that,” said Kleiboeker. “And the weather starts warming up, so we start thinking about summer grilling as Memorial Day later in the month is the traditional kickoff of summer grilling season.”

He added the beef industry plays a vital role in that state’s economy. “We are the third largest cow-calf production state in the nation and sixth in total cattle numbers,” he said. “About half of the state’s agricultural revenue is derived from livestock, and nearly half of that is from beef cattle production.”

Beef plays an equally important role in Iowa’s economy, generating $5.1 billion directly and indirectly to the state’s financial system while supporting corn and soybean producers – 148 million bushels of Iowa corn and more than 78 million bushels of Iowa soybeans were fed to cattle in 2006, according to the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC).

“There’s no doubt that one of Iowa’s greatest treasures is its beef industry,” said Will Frazee, IBIC chair. “Iowa is unique among beef producing states. With abundant feed, rolling hills and green pastures, Iowa is one of the few states with all the resources necessary to grow high quality cattle. Without question, Iowa is one of the premier beef producing states in the country.”

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Council reports the industry is made up of more than a million businesses, farms and ranches across the United States, with 800,000 ranchers and producers. The organization noted that in 2007, consumers spent $74.6 billion on beef products in this country and that beef accounts for more than 53 percent of dollars spent on meat at retail.

For more information about Beef Month and Kentucky’s Beef Industry, contact Smith with the Kentucky Beef Council at 859-278-0899.