Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia
Strengthen the Spirit of Virginia
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.
