With the month of May comes the annual proclamation recognizing it as Beef Month. Most of us don’t need nice weather for an excuse to fire up the grill, but this designation is a great reminder that the beef industry is integral to the state’s farm economy.
Beef is one of the drivers behind our state’s agricultural success. With a herd inventory of nearly four million head, Missouri consistently ranks among the top cattle-producing states in the nation. Within that inventory, the state is home to more than 1.8 million beef cows on roughly 60,000 farms. This places Missouri third nationally in beef cow numbers, a testament to the scale and strength of our cattle industry.
The economic impact is just as significant. Beef production generates nearly $2 billion in annual sales and supports more than 40,000 jobs statewide, making it a key component of Missouri’s $93.7 billion agriculture economy.
The impact is felt far beyond the farm gate. Every calf raised in Missouri supports a network of feed suppliers, veterinarians, truckers, processors, and retailers. The industry helps sustain small towns, strengthens local tax bases and helps keep rural communities vibrant and viable.
National Beef Month is also a reminder of the resilience and stewardship of cattle producers. Farmers and ranchers navigate volatile markets, rising input costs and unpredictable weather, all while maintaining a commitment to producing safe, high-quality beef for our nation’s food supply. Even as the national cattle herd faces historic tightening, our producers continue to adapt, invest and lead.
Aside from being a part of such an important industry, I love raising cattle, or at least about 90 percent of the time. Occasionally there’s a cow or calf that makes me question my sanity, but it is rewarding work. Caring for calves and mama cows is enjoyable, but raising my kids around livestock is the greatest reward of all.
Whether it’s tending to an aging favorite cow or helping nurse an orphaned calf, watching my children step up to care for these animals is something I treasure. They may see it as work, and it is, but the lessons they are learning go far beyond daily chores. Responsibility, compassion, patience, and perseverance are all shaped in those moments. The time spent together, and the values learned on the farm, will stay with them long after the work is done. Raising kids on the farm helps build future generations who are better prepared to serve their families, communities and the world around them.
This May, as we celebrate Beef Month, it is worth remembering that when you support Missouri beef, you are supporting local farm families, strengthening rural economies and investing in one of the state’s most important industries.
