CELEBRATING MAY AS BEEF MONTH IN NEW YORK STATE

Utica, NY (May 2024)—The New York Beef Council (NYBC) invited New Yorkers to celebrate May as Beef Month in New York State at a press conference hosted in Albany on May 15th, 2024. At the press conference, State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball gave remarks celebrating New York’s beef producers, and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner presented the New York Beef Council with a resolution officially declaring May as Beef Month, reinforcing the significance of the beef industry to the state's agricultural landscape. Cattle and calves are the fourth largest agricultural commodity in New York State, accounting for nearly $360 million in cash receipts annually.   

During the press conference, NYBC proudly presented the community-driven initiatives underway to promote and celebrate beef in New York. Among these initiatives are the Best New York Burger Competition and the NY Beef Passport, which aim to highlight the culinary excellence and diversity of beef dishes across the state and invite everyone to participate in this celebration.   

The free New York Beef Passport offers consumers a unique opportunity to embark on a culinary adventure, exploring top beef dishes at participating restaurants throughout New York State. Participants earn prizes and exclusive offers and contribute to our state's vibrant beef industry, making this a truly exciting and rewarding experience.   

The Best New York Burger Competition invited restaurants statewide to showcase their most innovative and delicious beef burgers, highlighting the creativity and skill of chefs across New York. The competition served as a platform to recognize and celebrate the diverse range of flavors and styles in beef burger creations. This year, Chatham Brewing's burger, The Loaded Brewery Burger, emerged as the clear favorite among judges and consumers and was crowned the Best NY Burger.   

"As we celebrate May as Beef Month, we were thrilled to host this press conference in Albany to showcase the vital contributions of the beef industry to New York State," said Ashley Scoones, Executive Director at NYBC. "Through initiatives like the Best New York Burger Competition and the NY Beef Passport, we aim to celebrate the rich culinary heritage of beef in our state while supporting local businesses and producers."   

Commissioner Ball said, “Each May, Beef Month is an annual opportunity to celebrate the hard work of New York’s beef producers, who are raising quality food for our schools, communities, and families and are a critical part of our agricultural industry here in New York State. I encourage New Yorkers to get their own New York Beef Passports to connect with beef producers in every corner of our state while supporting local small businesses and trying delicious new dishes.”   

Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner said, "As Chair of the NYS Assembly's Small Business Committee, I'm excited to join in celebrating the significant contributions our farmers, meat processors, and meat markets make to the economic vitality of our local, small business community. So, if beef is in your diet, I hope you will especially enjoy eating burgers this month. They are packed with protein and vitamins, which can help keep you and our economy strong and healthy."   

New York Beef Producer member Erin Perkins said, “As producers, we are dedicated to raising healthy cattle, resulting in safe, wholesome beef. My family is among the 95% of New York Farms that are family-owned and operated, deeply rooted, and sharing a connection between family values, our industry, and our local communities. We thank the hardworking farmers and ranchers who drive the success of our industry, as well as the consumers who support locally produced beef.”   

As New Yorkers savor the delicious offerings of New York's beef industry, it's essential to recognize the significant contributions of our state's cattle farms. According to the 2022 agricultural census, New York boasts nearly 13,000 farms dedicated to cattle, with over 1.5 million cattle and calves statewide, including approximately 120,000 beef cows. The beef industry remains one of New York's top agricultural sectors, contributing substantially to the state's economy with nearly $360 million in annual sales.   

Join us in celebrating May as Beef Month in New York State; everyone is invited to indulge in delicious beef dishes and support our vibrant agricultural community. Together, we can savor the flavors of New York and champion the hardworking farmers who nourish our state.   

Sign up for the New York Beef Passport at https://www.nybeef.org/beef-passport. You can also visit www.nybeef.org to learn more about the New York Beef Council and Beef Checkoff-funded activities in New York.     

About the New York Beef Council: The New York Beef Council is funded by the $1-per-head National Beef Checkoff Program. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information, and foreign market development to strengthen beef demand. For more information, visit www.nybeef.org.   

About the Beef Checkoff: The Beef Checkoff was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The Checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle and a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents of the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen's Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.