Governor McAuliffe proclaims May as Beef Month in Virginia

Proclamation recognizes one of the Commonwealth’s most significant agricultural industries. As the weather gets warmer, Virginians are firing up their grills for juicy burgers and mouth-watering steaks. Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe acknowledges this all-American tradition and proclaims May 2014 as “Beef Month” in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) encourages Virginians to support the state’s beef cattle industry and salute Virginia cattlemen and cattlewomen for their contribution to the Commonwealth’s largest industry—agriculture.

According to the latest survey data from U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), beef cattle production is one of the largest segments of Virginia agriculture, contributing more than $430 million to the state’s economy in 2012. Grazing on more than 2.5 million acres of Virginia pasture land, beef cattle support the livelihood of 25,000 Virginia farm families. In fact, approximately 97 percent of Virginia’s beef industry is made up of family-owned businesses.

With 10 essential nutrients in every bite, beef plays a key role in a healthy diet. Scientific research continues to document lean beef’s role in lowering bad cholesterol, building muscle, improving cognitive health and providing other healthy benefits to in people of all ages. And because there are about 30 cuts of beef that meet the definition of lean, today’s consumers have plenty of healthy options. Many of these lean cuts are favorites such as T-bone steak, top sirloin and 93-percent-lean ground beef.

Widely popular, easy to fix, wholesome and satisfying, beef has earned its place in the hearts—and on the plates—of Virginians. Join VDACS and celebrate Beef Month by preparing your favorite local beef dish at home or ordering it at your favorite restaurant. The VirginiaGrown.com website features a database of farms that offer Virginia Grown beef. Try the grilled peppery top round steak recipe below or visit the Virginia Beef Industry Council’s website, vabeef.org, for more delicious beef recipes.

VDACS works with the state’s beef cattle producers find new markets here and abroad for their cattle, track market prices and protect the state’s herds from disease. Learn more about VDACS at vdacs.virginia.gov.