AMERICA BEEFS UP: "... Proper management of grazing animals can rebuild the health of pastures and rangelands while providing food and essential products for society.".

• Author: Peterson, Robyn
• Position: NUTRITION IN A NUTSHELL

BEEF is a staple of American mealtime. Producing beef requires the dedication of farmers and ranchers across the U.S., and proper management of grazing animals can rebuild the health of pastures and rangelands while providing food and essential products for society.

Since 1945, Noble Research Institute has supported farmers and ranchers in fostering land stewardship, improving the soil, and producing one of the world's favorite foods. In honor of its recent 75th anniversary, Noble is sharing 75 tidbits about beef.

RED. WHITE, AND BEEF

1. There are more than 800,000 ranchers and cattle producers in the U.S.

2. One-third of all U.S. farms and ranches include cattle.

3. Beef cattle are raised in all 50 states.

4. The states with the most beef cows are Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota.

5. As of Jan. 1, there were 94,400,000 head of cattle in the U.S. herd. That is more than the populations of California, Texas, Florida, and Mississippi combined.

6. Some 91% of beef farms and ranches are family-owned or individually operated.

7. The average farm size is 441 acres.

8. The average herd size is 43.5.

9. Pasture and rangeland represent 41% of land usage in the U.S.

10. Cattle and calves make up nearly 40% of cash receipts for animals and animal products.

11. About 16 U.S. presidents can say they have experience with farming or ranching, including Theodore Roosevelt, who at one point owned 5,000 cattle in the Dakota Badlands and championed conservation efforts during his presidency.

    A GLOBAL PRESENCE

12. The U.S. is the world's largest beef producer, followed by Brazil.

13. U.S. farmers and ranchers produce 18% of the world's beef with eight percent of the world's cattle.

14. Japan, South Korea, and Mexico are the top importers of U.S. beef.

15. The U.S. ranks fourth in the world for amount of beef eaten per capita, at 793 pounds.

16. Ahead of the U.S. in beef consumption per capita are Uruguay (124.2 pounds), Argentina (120.2 pounds), and Hong Kong (114.3 pounds).

    BEEF ON THE DINNER PLATE

17. Every day, 76,000,000 Americans eat beef.

18. They consume, on average, 112 pounds of beef per year.

19. U.S. consumers purchase 26,700,000,-000 pounds of beef at foodservice and retail locations.

20. Some 70% of food service operators say that steak on the menu increases traffic.

21. The most-popular beef products include ground beef and ribeye, strip, and t-bone steak.

22. About 490 pounds of meat comes from one 1200-pound steer.

23. Beef is one of the most-important dietary...