Virginia Beef Month

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Virginia Beef Month

WHEREAS, Virginia’s beef cattle inventory totaled 599,000 head as of January 1, 2022, and cattle and calves production is the second largest segment of Virginia agriculture, contributing $372 million in cash receipts to the state’s economy in 2021; and,

WHEREAS, beef cattle in the Commonwealth graze on more than 2 million acres of pasture land while sustaining, fully or in part, the livelihood of more than 18,000 Virginia farm families; and,

WHEREAS, beef cattle are primarily raised in the Ridge and Valley regions of Virginia, with Augusta, Rockingham, Bedford, Pittsylvania and Wythe counties leading the Commonwealth in total inventory; and,

WHEREAS, Virginia’s largest agricultural industry in terms of employment impact is the beef cattle industry which employs nearly 22,000 cattle farmers and farm employees; and,

WHEREAS, beef cattle production represents the largest single segment of U.S. agriculture, with cattle and calves adding more than $63.1 billion to the U.S. economy in 2021; and,

WHEREAS, scientific research continues to document lean beef’s role in lowering bad cholesterol, building muscle and cognitive health and providing other health benefits in people of all ages; and,

WHEREAS, a three ounce serving of lean beef is about 150 calories and an excellent source of protein and nine other essential nutrients like zinc, iron and B vitamins; and,

WHEREAS, buying Virginia grown beef supports the Commonwealth’s robust agricultural industry and ensures maximum freshness, taste and nutrition, straight from Virginia farms to the table;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 2022 as BEEF MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA and call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations