Celebrate National Beef Month in May

May is a month of many celebrations and observances—Mother’s Day, graduations, Memorial Day. What better way to observe these events than by celebrating with beef?

May is National Beef Month, and we certainly celebrate that here in Kansas, where cattle outnumber people two to one! Since May is also National Hamburger Month and National Barbecue Month, you have even more reasons to bring out the beef.

If you’re looking for a way to make an event fun or fancy in May, or any other month for that matter, consider putting beef at the center of the table. Outdoor barbecues simply aren’t complete without hamburgers sizzling on the grill. A steak or rack of ribs make any meal special and is sure to excite the taste buds of all your guests.

To get the party started, get to know your beef a bit better! Beef and its by-products have an immense impact on our society, not only in Kansas but around the world. It’s found in the hamburger you cook on your grill, the gelatin that composes the marshmallow you roast, the gum you chew, the medicines you take, the soap used to wash your hands and in many other products. Its impact in our everyday lives is immeasurable.

Beef also is a primary source of numerous vitamins and minerals that are essential for a healthy lifestyle. This list includes protein, vitamin B-12, zinc, iron, phosphorus, selenium, and many more! In fact, a 3-ounce serving of lean beef accounts for less than 10 percent of a 2,000-calorie diet, yet supplies more than 10 percent of the daily value of those vitamins and minerals.

As you can see, there’s plenty to appreciate when it comes to beef. So celebrate National Beef Month by dusting off your grill and sharing some delicious steaks and hamburgers with family, friends and neighbors, or by getting to know some Kansas ranchers through our farmer profiles. Dig in!