May is Beef Month in Missouri. Here are a few known (or little known) facts for you about Missouri’s beef industry:
- Missouri is the second leading state in the nation in the number of beef cows with 2.161 million.- Missouri ranks sixth among all states in total cattle numbers with 4.45 million.
- Missouri has nearly 68,000 farms with beef or dairy cattle.
- The average beef cow herd size in Missouri is 36. The average dairy herd size is 41.
- Each year Missouri’s beef industry adds $1.5 billion to the state’s economy. Missouri a leading state in production of purebred cattle registered seedstock that provides the genetic base for commercial cow herds.
- Missouri has approximately 12 million acres of pastureland.
To learn more about farmers and ranchers and what they do every day to provide a safe, wholesome beef product for your dinner table, visit ExploreBeef.org. And celebrate Beef Month in Missouri!
