By TIM THORNBERRY
Kentucky Correspondent

HARRODSBURG, Ky. — While June is National Dairy Month, Kentucky beef producers are still beaming from the limelight of Beef Month in May. In fact, Gov. Steve Beshear visited a Bourbon County beef farm to sign the official proclamation marking the occasion.

“I urge all Kentuckians to support Kentucky’s beef cattle industry, and to salute the cattle producers for their contribution to Kentucky’s agricultural and rural economy during the month of May,” said Beshear. “The Kentucky Agricultural Development Fund has helped in making this industry such a success with more than $45 million going into projects related to improving the cattle industry in Kentucky.”

Kentucky has become the biggest beef producing state east of the Mississippi with more than 2.46 million head of cattle on 38,000 beef cow farms. In 2006, cash receipts from the sale of cattle and calves were more than $561 million. The beef industry ranks third largest among agricultural commodities in Kentucky.

Additionally, the state’s cattle industry contributes $607 million (2006) annually to local economies. Kentucky beef contributes to the $70 billion U.S. consumers spend annually on beef, which equals about 65 pounds per person, per year according to the Kentucky Beef Council (KBC).

During the month-long celebration, the KBC offered grilling tips, recipes and demonstrations in different ways to prepare beef to the public.

“Beef has been available in America for about 1,500 years but on the nutrition front, there is something new going on,” said Greg Robey, KBC chair. “Scientific research is continuing to indicate that beef not only tastes good, it’s good for you. In fact, a substantial body of evidence shows protein can help in maintaining a healthy weight, building muscle and fueling physical activity, all of which play an important role in a healthful lifestyle and disease prevention.”

While May was the official celebration month for the beef industry in Kentucky, the party isn’t over, yet. One of the newest and biggest beef festivals takes place this weekend in Harrodsburg. Officially, the Ft. Harrod Beef Festival runs June 6-8. The event got its start as a way to showcase the beef industry in and around Mercer County and to help show how the area, as well as the state, is transitioning from a tobacco-dominant agricultural market to a leading beef producer.

Activities include a beef grill-off at the Mercer County Fairgrounds on Saturday, June 7 bringing professional, amateur and youth teams together to grill the best briskets, steaks, and backyard burgers. Spectators may purchase a $6 bracelet to sample the results and vote for their favorites. A burger and steak competition for youth also is scheduled.

A steak and egg breakfast at Old Fort Harrod State Park will take place Saturday morning. It will also cost $6.

Other events include a juried arts and crafts fair, five-kilometer run-walk, an antique car show, line dancing, twilight tours of Fort Harrod, team roping, professional chefs, pageants for all ages, children’s activities and musical acts.

Going into its third year, the festival has already gained some notable attention winning the Most Innovative or New Activity award at the recent Kentucky Festival and Events Association annual conference held in Louisville. “We were thrilled that we received the award, especially when we were competing with many larger and older festivals,” said Joan Huffman co-chair along with LeMayne Ellis. “We submitted information about our steak and egg breakfast and they liked what we are doing. We are so appreciative of the volunteers that work hard for this festival.”

Mercer County Angus beef cattle producer and businessman Ralph Anderson is a key sponsor of the festival. For details, visit www.fortharrodbeeffestival.org

From a national standpoint, the beef celebrations will continue all summer as beef checkoff program dollars are spent to advertise the fun of grilling through the summer months coming off a successful campaign last year.

“The 2007 summer grilling season was very successful and we were pleased with the results,” said Don Stewart, Cattlemen’s Beef Board member, chair of the beef checkoff’s Joint Retail Committee and importer from Highland Park, Ill. “Together, through co-marketing partnerships, the 2008 campaign will encourage consumers to choose beef in the grocery store meat case for all their grilling needs. We know burgers are popular year-round, but through the beef checkoff summer grilling program, we encourage consumers to give in to their passion for a great-tasting beef experience by purchasing other popular grilling items like steaks.”

For more, go to kybeef.com or contact the Kentucky Beef Council at 859-278-0899.