National Beef Month
With May being National Beef Month, here are 10 BEEFY facts about the protein and cattle industry.
- Cattle were introduced to North America in Florida in 1521 by Juan Ponce de Leon, Spanish explorer.
- Nearly one-half of all Florida agricultural land is involved in cattle production.
- Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) is a large component of livestock management programs.
- Beef provides iron, choline, protein, vitamins, phosphorus, zinc, niacin, riboflavin and selenium.
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Florida ranks 13th in the U.S. for beef cows.
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When cooking a steak the USDA recommends the internal temperature should be at least 145 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Beef provides many by-products. The by-products that are inedible can be used to create a variety of products from medicines to shoes.
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Florida is home to five of the top ten largest cow/calf operations in the United States.
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Florida’s primary “crop” is calves that are shipped out to other states to be finished to and processed for beef.
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Florida cattle producers are “stewards of the land” and tend to thousands of acres throughout the United States.
Farm Credit of Central Florida is a proud supporter of Florida ranchers! Beef is healthy and important part of anyone’s diet. Treat yourself to a steak because beef is what’s for dinner!
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