Cattle shows and celebrations taking place all month
By Diego Flammini, Farms.com
May is National Beef Month and there will be events going on in the United States and around the world to celebrate the beef and cattle
industry and how much it means to farmers and consumers.
Florida will host two cattle shows during the month of May.
On May 8th & 9th, The Anglers Cup, Inc. will host the 2015 Southeastern Beef Expo “Spring Showdown”. The event will feature a heifer show, steer show and bull show with competitors being eligible for cash prizes. The show will be held at 4601 Highway 710 E, Okeechobee, FL, 34974.
Closer to the end of the month on May 23rd and 24th, the Turner Agri Civic Center will hold the Charlotte County FFA Alumni 2015 Spring Fling. Cash prizes of up to $250 are available for Grand Champions.
In Illinois, Red River Valley Blood Center and the Stephenson County Beef Association are teaming up to celebrate beef and helping one another. People who donate blood starting on May 11 will receive a prepackaged stick of beef after their
donation. Beef can have high levels of iron and protein and can sometimes be used to increase red blood cell levels.
A little farther away from home, Australia will hold their National Beef Exposition from May 4th – 9th.
The show will feature a variety of things for visitors to take in, including seminars about animal research and profitable beef production. Celebrity chefs like Alvin Leung and Matt Golinksi will be on hand preparing recipes that highlight Australian beef.
Some statistics about American beef and the kind of moo-la it generates:
- $44 billion in farm gate receipts
- $5.711 billion in exports in 2013. Up from $3.839 billion in 2010
- Japan, Canada, Mexico and South Korea are the top export markets
- Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, California and Oklahoma are the top beef producing states
Join the conversation and tell us how you’ll celebrate National Beef Month. How much of a role does beef play in your farming practices?