VIDEO: Ricketts Celebrates National Beef Month
WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) celebrated Beef Month in America during his weekly press call. Ricketts highlighted his work supporting ranchers and producers. He spoke with members of Nebraska press about National Beef Month:
“Nebraska’s ranchers feed the world,” said Ricketts. “This month, we honor hard-working cattlemen and women that promote this great industry. Overall, agriculture accounts for $31.6 billion of cash receipts for Nebraska’s economy. Our livestock bring in $18 billion in cash receipts, that’s 7.2% of the U.S.’s total. Nebraska beef production is key to our state’s success.”
Watch the video here.
TRANSCRIPT
Senator Ricketts: “Thank you for joining our press call today.
“Nebraska is the Beef State.
“In May, we celebrate National Beef Month.
“Agriculture is the heart and soul of our state, and beef is a cornerstone.
“Nebraska’s ranchers feed the world.
“This month, we honor the hard-working cattlemen and women that promote this great industry.
“Overall, agriculture accounts for $31.6 billion of cash receipts for Nebraska’s economy.
“Our livestock bring in $18 billion in cash receipts, that’s 7.2% of the U.S.’s total.
“Nebraska beef production is key to our state’s success.
“Last year, we led the nation with over $2 billion in beef exports.
“Nebraska also led the nation in commercial cattle slaughter, with 6.8 million head.
“We have the top three beef-producing counties in the nation in Cherry, Custer, and Holt Counties.
“Much of the land used for livestock production couldn’t be used for anything else.
“Agricultural land is divided into two categories: arable land and marginal land.
“Arable land, which represents one-third of agricultural land, can be plowed.
“That means it’s suitable for growing food.
“Marginal land, representing two-thirds of agricultural land, is not suitable for growing food.
“Marginal land receives little or no water, has lower quality soils, or is rocky.
“Cattle production keeps marginal lands thriving.
“Beef production is critical to our state economy and our nation.
“Food security is national security.
“When I was Governor, I led trade missions to Japan and Vietnam to promote Nebraska beef.
“On those trips, I traveled with Nebraska cattle producers and discussed the challenges they faced.
“At that time, cow-calf operators shared concerns about market prices.
“I told them the answer was premium, diversified trade markets.
“Under Joe Biden, the U.S. had an agricultural trade deficit of $32 billion dollars last year.
“But with President Trump’s recent trade negotiations, our way of life looks to be growing stronger.
“The May 8th trade deal announcement with the U.K. creates $5 billion for new exports of U.S. products.
“That includes more than $700 million in ethanol exports and $250 million in other agricultural products like beef.
“The U.K. also increased their tariff-free quotas on beef from 1,000 metric tons to 13,000 metric tons.
“Meanwhile, the E.U. only imported 13,438 metric tons of beef in 2022, despite a total population over six times as large as the U.K.
“I would like to see the final deal more favorable for Nebraska ranchers, with an end to the ban on hormone-treated beef.
“But, alongside the other negotiations, the President’s trade strategy is already delivering wins for Nebraska beef.
“I’m fighting to ensure our ranchers have what they need to be successful.
“I support expanded funding in the farm bill to double trade-promotion.
“And I recently led a bicameral letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Health and Human Services, and the Environmental Protection Agency, pushing back on radical environmentalists’ anti-ag agenda.
“We warned against their agenda advancing harmful health, economic, or food security policies under the guise of human health.
“We should be encouraging more beef consumption, not less.
“In addition to being tasty, beef is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can eat.
“One 6-ounce cooked serving of beef provides 25 grams of protein.
“Beef contains ten essential nutrients including iron, zinc, and B vitamins.
“It takes more calories of plant protein to equate to similar levels of protein from beef.
“And research has linked beef protein to a host of positive health outcomes such as weight loss, muscle retention, and diet satisfaction.
“Nebraska ranchers and farmers are the original conservationists.
“They understand the science and they know what’s good for the land, animals, and consumers.
“They want to preserve the land and animals for the next generation.
“But Nebraska beef is not just healthy.
“It is our culture and way of life.
“This month, and every month, we celebrate our state’s beef industry.
“Happy National Beef Month, Nebraska!”