WHEREAS, according to the 2022 North Carolina Agricultural Statistics Book published by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, there are currently over 785,000 cattle in North Carolina that provide a variety of food, leather, and other products to the residents of this state; and
WHEREAS, because of cooperation between beef producers and the North Carolina Cattlemen’s Association, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and allied industry, thousands of farms are flourishing across the State in all 100 counties; and
WHEREAS, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services characterizes beef and beef products as naturally nutrient rich, providing Americans with a high-quality source of protein, zinc, iron, and B vitamins, leading nine out of ten households to serve beef at least once every two weeks; and
WHEREAS, the 2022 North Carolina Agricultural Statistics Book list cattle farms generating more than $260 million in cash receipts each year, making the beef industry yet another part of the total diversification of agriculture in this state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim May, 2023, as “BEEF MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.