This is “Beef Month” in Iowa, a time when the industry tries to highlight the steaks and burgers produced on Iowa’s farms. Nancy Degner is the spokesperson for the Iowa Beef Industry Council. Degner says promoting the healthy aspects of beef continues to be one of their top goals. They currently have a nutrition campaign targeting the good nutrients beef provides for people.Degner says they’ve made progress in overcoming detractors. She says most health professionals now says that beef fits in with other foods in a healthy diet.She says the industry has tried to get more people to eat beef by developing meals you can microwave. Degner says they hope these “convenience” items will increase the amount of Iowa beef being consumed. They’ve created things such as roasts that can be microwaved and ready to eat in seven minutes.Degner says approximately one-point-seven million head of cattle are raised and sold by Iowans each year.Degner says more than 56-thousand people in the state work in the beef industry. She says the industry provides the state with five billion dollars in gross economic output each year.
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