This is the month cattle producers in Iowa celebrate their profession. May is designated “Beef Month” in Iowa. Producers say the industry employs nearly 50-thousand people in the state and generates over five billion dollars for the Iowa’s economy. The director of the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State University says the industry is riding high now.The industry has had two strong years with near record high prices, after nearing record low prices in the mid ’90s. John Lawrence says the emergence of “Hoof and Mouth” and “Mad Cow” disease in Europe has helped emphasize the quality of beef produced in Iowa.Lawrence says the beef industry has also made improvements in dealing with other concerns such as e-coli.The Iowa Beef Industry Council has tips for using beef at: www.iabeef.org.