Beef Production Facts
Economics
Beef cattle production represents the largest single segment of American agriculture. In fact, the U.S. beef industry is made up of more than 1 million businesses, farms and ranches. There are more than 800,000 ranchers and cattle producers in the United States. In 2005, producers of meat animals were responsible for more than $64 billion in added value to the U.S. economy.
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A Family Affair
Farming is a family affair according the Economic Research Service. It found that 99 percent of U.S. farms in 2003 were family farms. The typical herd size averages 40 head of cattle, but herds with more than 100 head of cattle produce most of beef in the United States. |
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A Healthy Sized Herd
There were 97.1 million cattle in the United States as of January 2006. Total beef production in 2005 was 24.7 billion pounds of beef. Beef production per cow has increased from about 400 pounds in the mid-1960s to 585 pounds in 2005 meaning more business opportunities for producers and cost savings for consumers like you.
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America’s favorite protein
Beef is America’s No. 1 protein. Demand for beef products has improved 22 percent since 1998; and in 2005, per capita consumption of beef was 64.7 pounds, compared to 60.3 pounds for chicken. Consumer’s spent an average of $241 per person on beef in supermarkets and restaurants last year. |
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Burgers and steaks most popular
Beef is a consumer favorite – for meals at home or at a favorite restaurant. Eighty percent of consumers regularly fix beef at home. Steak is the most popular dish for at-home meals while burgers are the favorite beef menu item at restaurants. | More informationBeef Market At A Glance
FACT SHEET: The Cattle Industry, Who We Are
FACT SHEET: The Efficiency of American Agriculture
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