National Beef Month: Support American producers and celebrate the beef industry during the month of May
Each May, the U.S. observes National Beef Month to recognize the importance of the nation’s cattle industry and to celebrate hardworking ranch families who help put beef on tables across the country.
In Wyoming – where cattle production is one of the state’s leading agricultural industries – National Beef Month also serves as a reminder of the important role producers play in supporting the local economy, maintaining wide-open spaces and preserving the Cowboy State’s Western way of life.
Celebrating National Beef Month
On May 12, U.S. Sens Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led a resolution to officially designate May 2026 as National Beef Month.
The resolution was cosponsored by Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), James Lankford (R-OK) and Roger Marshall (R-KS).
“Cattle producers are vital for our agricultural economy, putting food on tables across our state and nationwide,” Klobuchar says in the corresponding press release. “Officially designating May as National Beef Month is a well-earned recognition of their hard work and dedication.”
To recognize American producers, as well as the importance of both the cattle industry and beef in the diet, officials say one of the best ways to celebrate National Beef Month is to support local ranchers by purchasing locally raised beef products.
Fortunately, producers across the West have increasingly started to market beef direct-to-consumer through freezer beef sales, farmers markets, local butcher shops and online storefronts.
For individuals unable to purchase directly from a producer, industry officials encourage shoppers to simply choose beef products over other sources of protein during their regular trips to the grocery store and to support businesses which source beef from U.S. producers.
They also note restaurants and grocery stores may feature locally raised beef this month as part of seasonal promotions and campaigns.
Notably, National Beef Month is celebrated alongside National Barbecue Month and National Hamburger Month, all of which coincide with the beginning of summer grilling season.
As late-spring brings warmer temperatures and two widely celebrated holidays – Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of the month and Memorial Day on the last Monday in May – Americans start to host more backyard barbecues and cookouts.
From burgers and steaks to brisket and ribs, beef remains a staple at these gatherings, but in observance of National Beef Month, industry officials encourage individuals to try new beef recipes or explore less familiar cuts as a way to celebrate the versatility of beef.
Beyond the grill, producers and beef advocates may use the month of May to share information about modern cattle production, animal care practices and stewardship efforts taking place on their operations via social media campaigns, educational outreach programs and other local events.
Recognizing the U.S. beef industry
According to data published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Economic Research Service (ERS), the beef industry is one of the largest sectors of U.S. agriculture, contributing billions of dollars annually to the nation’s economy through cattle production, processing and exports.
In fact, ERS data from 2024 – the most recent on file – shows total value of cattle and calf production in the U.S. at $83.1 billion, total cash reciepts at $112.1 billion and total value of beef exports at $9.9 billion.
In Wyoming, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reports inventory of all cattle and calves at 1.26 million head as of Jan. 1, 2024, with beef cow inventory totaling 671,000 head and total value of inventory at $2.29 million.
This places Wyoming 25th in the national ranking, following the top 10 states, in order, of Texas, Nebraska, Kansas, California, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Colorado.
This year, the observance of National Beef Month comes as the U.S. cattle industry continues to navigate historically tight cattle supplies, strong consumer demand and high retail beef prices.
USDA data also shows the national cattle inventory continued its downward trajectory going in to 2026, with 86.2 million head of cattle reported on Jan. 1 – the lowest level in 75 years, following ongoing drought, elevated feed costs and widespread herd liquidation.
Despite this, beef demand has remained as strong as ever and consumers continue prioritizing beef purchases even in the face of record-high prices at the meat counter.
Strong demand and limited supplies have also pushed cattle prices to record or near-record levels in many markets over the past year, creating opportunities for cow/calf producers.
Additionally, while analysts note rebuilding the national herd will likely take several years – leading to tight supplies and elevated prices in the foreseeable future – and producers will face ongoing challenges related to drought, input costs and market volatility, they are also optimistic about the future of the beef industry.
During the CattleFax Outlook Seminar held on Feb. 5 as part of CattleCon 2026 in Nashville, Tenn., CattleFax experts noted, “Despite near-term volatility, the long-term outlook remains positive. Strong domestic demand, improving beef quality and sufficient packing capacity are expected to continue supporting profitability for the cow/calf sector as the industry moves into the next phase of the cattle cycle.”
For producers, National Beef Month provides an opportunity to showcase the hard work, dedication and resilience required to raise cattle in an ever-changing agricultural landscape.
For consumers, the month serves as a reminder of the connection between ranchers and food products found at grocery stores, restaurants and family dinner tables.
Whether purchasing local beef, preparing a favorite recipe or thanking the producers who help feed the nation, industry officials believe National Beef Month offers countless opportunities to celebrate the cattle industry throughout the month of May.
Hannah Bugas is the managing editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.
