More Wisconsin producers are adding beef cattle to their farm operations, contributing increased dollars to the state’s economy. 

 

Statistics from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture show 2,000 more farms raised beef cows in 2009 than did in 2008, with a total of 265,000 beef cows on 14,800 farms in Wisconsin. 

 

Wisconsin’s meat industry – including beef, pork, lamb and poultry – accounts for more than 88,000 total jobs in the state. It is the fourth largest manufacturing industry in Wisconsin, with 14 federally-inspected and more than 125 state-inspected processing plants.

 

The state ranks 11th in the nation for total red meat production, boasting a $12.3 billion economic impact.

 

The Wisconsin Beef Council, a producer-funded, producer-directed organization, is dedicated to building demand for beef through promotion, consumer education and research.  It reports the following statistics for the State of Wisconsin:

 

• Total Cattle: 3.35 million

• Beef Cows: 265,000

• Dairy Cows: 1.24 million

• Steers over 500 lbs: 360,000

• Beef Cow Replacement Heifers: 65,000

• Dairy Cow Replacement Heifers: 650,000

• Other Heifers: 55,000

• Bulls: 30,000

• Calves under 500 lbs: 670,000

 

For more information about Wisconsin beef, visit www.beeftips.com . Plugged into Facebook?  Become a fan of Wisconsin beef and join the conversation by searching “Wisconsin Beef Tips.”