Industry Information
Washington’s Beef Industry
Washington's agricultural
industries fuel the economy of
our trade-dependant state. An
essential industry in our state,
Agriculture is the state's
largest employer, contributing
$29 billion - 13 percent - to
the state's economy. Famous for
apples, Washington boasts a
growing reputation for supplying
great Northwest-grown beef to
our state's consumers and those
abroad. Here are some great
statistics about Washington's
beef industry:
Washington State
Beef Industry Facts
Updated May 2008
·
The beef industry in Washington contributes
significantly to the state’s
economy. The value of receipts
from the sale of cattle in 2007
was approximately $724,533,000.
The value of production (total
value of cattle on farms and
ranches in 2007) was
$580,947,000. These numbers do
not reflect the multiplier
effect that businesses
supporting the beef industry
contribute to the state’s
economy.
· In
the state of Washington there
are approximately 11,700
ranchers and cattlemen and 760
dairy farmers located in almost
every county in the state.
(Approximately 5,000 Washington
beef producers have fewer than 9
head of cattle.) Nationwide
there are 967,440 ranchers and
cattlemen conducting business in
all 50 states and contributing
economically to nearly every
county in the nation.
· On
Jan. 1, 2008 there were 96.7
million cattle in the United
States and 1.09 million located
in Washington -- of which
243,000 were dairy cows.
· Total
cattle production in Washington
during 2007 was 1,429,728,000
pounds (1,093,700 head of cattle
harvested). Total cattle
production in the United States
during 2007 was 43.5 billion
pounds (34.4 million head of
cattle harvested).
· Total
beef production in Washington
during 2007 was approximately
848,710,000 pounds (number of
cattle harvested multiplied by
average carcass weight). Total
beef production in the United
States during 2007 was 26.5
billion pounds (in 2007, cattle
averaged about 1,273 lbs. before
harvest and the 2007 average
carcass weight was 776 lbs.,
which translates into about 538
lbs. of beef).
Source: USDA National
Agricultural Statistical
Service. For more information
visit their web site locally at
http://www.nass.usda.gov/wa.
Each year our state's family
farmers, ranchers and
beef-related businesses
make their living producing the high
quality, wholesome beef that
sustains Washington's families
and family farms... from
generation to generation.
The beef industry in Washington
is a complex combination of
multiple sectors that work
together to promote the welfare
of the environment, the animals
and the economy. From the farm
to the fork our beef industry
has an exciting story to tell...
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Cow/Calf Ranches
These family operations are
where the state's cattle herd
begins with mother cows and
their calves grazing on the land
under the watchful eye of the
rancher. |
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Dairy Farms
There are over 850 family dairy
farms in this state contributing
to the local beef supply. Most
of these dairy farms are located
in north western Washington and
in the Yakima Valley. |
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Feeders
Centrally located, Washington's
cattle feeders are a small group
of experienced beef producers.
Cattle are shipped to their
feedlots from around the state,
where they are carefully fed to
produce optimum quality beef. |
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Packers
A small group of packers in the
state transform the finished
cattle into the delicious steaks
and roasts you see in the meat
case. Packers employ high-tech
food safety precautions to
ensure the safety of the beef
they process. |
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Consumers
Washington beef that has been
processed is packed and shipped
to restaurants and grocery
stores locally, throughout the
country and around the world for
consumers to enjoy. |
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Learn more about your beef!
Learn more about the beef that
you love by understanding how it
is produced. Washington's beef
industry, like that of many
states, has a blend of producers
and products designed to meet
the needs and demands of our
state's beef lovers. Click the
links below to learn more about
the different forms of beef
production common in Washington
State and how these products are
marketed!
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