May is a delightful month for many reasons. May is home to such holidays as Mother’s Day and Memorial Day. Although do we really need a reason to honor the mothers who raised us or the men and women who paid the ultimate price in service to our country?
Many people celebrate their graduation in May. No matter whether it’s a high school graduation or a collegiate one, it marks the start of a new chapter of life.
For those carnivores around the country who love all the various flavors of BULK beef jerky, there’s another reason to celebrate: May is National Beef Month!
Celebrating Beef In May
According to the Montana Beef Council, the United States is the world’s largest producer of beef. Further, the U.S. is also the largest consumer of beef products.
While you automatically will think of things like beef jerky and ribeye steaks as products of the beef industry, remember that foods that contain gelatin such as ice cream, gummy bears, and marshmallows are part of the industry as well. Gelatin is made from hides, boiled and crushed bones, and connective tissue from cattle and pigs.
Some states take National Beef Month more seriously than others. North Dakota governor Doug Burgum took the extra step of making a formal dedication of the month to the beef industry with an official proclamation.
Where Your Beef Comes From
Cattle farming is a long-held tradition in different states throughout the country. In fact, according to the Flying Pig Cattle Co., 35% of American farms identify themselves as a cattle operation. Those numbers make the beef industry the largest single segment of the agriculture industry.
- Per data from the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, in 2021 cattle production represented 17% of the total $391 billion in cash receipts earmarked as agricultural commodities.
- Beef2Live.com reports that Texas, the second largest state after Alaska, is home to 13% of U.S. cattle inventory. Texas is followed in cattle numbers by Nebraska, Kansas, California, and Oklahoma. Rounding out the top ten beef producing states are Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Colorado.
- Although there are multi-million-dollar cattle operations, 97% of beef farms and ranches are family owned. Of those, 54% have been in the same family for three or more generations. So, it should come as no surprise that the average cattle heard is just 50 head
- It takes between 18 months and 3 years from the time a calf is born until it is slaughtered, processed, and available at the store. During that time, each calf will change caretakers several times. This allows the cattle to be cared for by a worker specializing in a particular aspect of the pasture-to-table beef lifecycle.
The Cowboy Connection To Jerky
When you think of raising cattle over the span of years, you might think of the cowboys tending the herds in the fields. After learning to make jerky from Native Americans, cowboys popularized the food as a convenient staple to travel with on cattle drives. It’s high in protein and has a long shelf life.
Over the years, jerky has evolved, and is now more popular than ever.
Today, BULK is recognized as one of the premier beef jerky companies in the country. We test each batch of jerky to make sure it meets our exacting standards. In fact, if you don’t love BULK beef jerky for any reason, we will issue you a refund and send you a return shipping label. That’s our commitment to you.
Bulk paying Tribute To Beef
There’s no wrong way to celebrate National Beef Month (outside of stealing the meat you hope to consume).
Some people will celebrate National Beef Month with glorious steaks served with their favorite garnishments and sides. Others take a more laid-back approach to paying tribute to beef by firing up the grill for some tasty burgers.
Thanks to the availability of amazing flavors like All Natural Teriyaki Brisket Jerky, Devil’s Kiss Classic Beef Jerky, Mango Habanero California Brisket Jerky, and Autumn Rub Brittle Beef Jerky, Bulk has all the temptations you’ll need to make beef jerky a part of your ongoing celebration of National Beef Month.
Then again, if cooking on the barbeque is the way you want to pay tribute to the benefits of beef, make sure you add just the right seasoning for maximum enjoyment. BULK has five tantalizing BBQ Rubs that will flavor your beef to perfection. You can’t go wrong. We even have one rub specifically for non-beef eating seafood enthusiasts.
BULK is committed to providing the best beef jerky at the best prices. We’ll keep fueling your gas tank throughout National Beef Month with all your favorite beef jerky snacks.