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Consumer education key piece of sustaining beef demand

A member of the Board of Governors with the Illinois Beef Association says education is a key to sustaining consumer demand for beef.

Betsy Pech, who was a long-time agriculture education teacher that also raises Hereford cattle in Logan County, tells Brownfield, “Especially right now with beef at an all-time high, both on markets and in the grocery store, it’s important to educate the consumer that you are still getting a valuable product that is nutritious and goes well on your dinner plate.”

She says recent changes to American dietary guidelines put a greater emphasis on protein, which should also benefit beef demand.

“Let’s get back to eating foods that come natural.”  She says, “Putting beef and other meat proteins at the top is a good thing because they contain minerals, vitamins, amino acids, everything you need.”

Pech says the tight cattle supplies driving prices aren’t likely to be resolved anytime soon, so producers need to continually remind consumers of the benefits of incorporating beef into their diet.

AUDIO: Betsy Pech – Illinois Beef Association