FullBook-SoundTest

Produced with Pride in Pennsylvania BEEF



BEEF Produced with Pride in Pennsylvania Written by Tonya Wible Book Design by Lorraine Potochney-Kobold

BEEF Produced with Pride in Pennsylvania Produced with Pride in Pennsylvania: Beef is made possible by a partnership between the Pennsylvania Beef Council, the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania Friends of Agriculture Foundation. 205 South Juliana Street 510 South 31st Street Bedford, PA 15522 Camp Hill, PA 17011 www.pabeef.org www.pafbfriends.org Mission: Mission: Be a unified voice for our beef & The preservation and promotion veal partners by sharing their legacy of commitment with the of agriculture, the largest of the families enjoying dinner with us. Commonwealth’s industries. Accompanying lesson plans available at www.pfb.com/education and www.pabeef.org Content: Tonya Wible Book Design: Lorraine Potochney-Kobold Photographs: Canstock, istock, Michelle Kunjappu, Lorraine Potochney-Kobold, PA Farm Bureau Pennsylvania Commodity Map: Holly Cohick and Tonya Wible, for Pennsylvania Friends of Ag Foundation Proofreaders: Dr.Tara Felix, Jim Hogue, Cheryl Fairbairn, Melanie Barkley, Michelle Kunjappu, Jeanne Mueller, PA Beef Council Staff © 2018 PA Friends of Agriculture Foundation PO Box 8736 • Camp Hill PA, 17001 ISBN: 978-0-692-10109-4 Printed in the United States of America using soy ink.

Table of Contents What is Agriculture?..............................................................................................................2 PA Agriculture Commodity Map.........................................................................................4 Cattle: Beef and Dairy..........................................................................................................6 Breeds of Cattle .....................................................................................................................8 Beef’s Nutritional Value...................................................................................................... 10 A Valued Resource .............................................................................................................. 12 Cow-Calf Operation .......................................................................................................... 14 Stocker/Backgrounder Operation................................................................................... 16 Animal Care ......................................................................................................................... 18 Feedlot Operation .............................................................................................................. 20 Finishing Options ................................................................................................................ 22 Caring for the Land ............................................................................................................ 24 Wasting Little....................................................................................................................... 26 Glossary ................................................................................................................................ 28 Image Credits....................................................................................................................... 30 Produced with Pride in PA: Beef 1

What is Agriculture? Agriculture is, and always has been, an important part of Pennsylvania’s story. Agriculture is growing crops or raising animals on the land. There are over 58,000 farms in Pennsylvania where livestock, or farm animals, are raised and plants are grown to provide us with our food and other products. No two farms in Pennsylvania look the same; some are big, some are small, some focus on one agricultural commodity, and some raise a variety of animals and crops. While each farm may be different, 97% of all Pennsylvania farms are family owned and operated. Most of these farms have been in the family for many generations. Our farmers take pride in the work they do to care for their animals and the plants they grow to provide us with a variety of agricultural products. 2 Produced with Pride in PA: Beef

What is Agriculture? Agriculture is, and always has been, an important part of Pennsylvania’s story. Agriculture is growing crops or raising animals on the land. There are over 58,000 farms in Pennsylvania where livestock, or farm animals, are raised and plants are grown to provide us with our food and other products. No two farms in Pennsylvania look the same; some are big, some are small, some focus on one agricultural commodity, and some raise a variety of animals and crops. While each farm may be different, 97% of all Pennsylvania farms are family owned and operated. Most of these farms have been in the family for many generations. Our farmers take pride in the work they do to care for their animals and the plants they grow to provide us with a variety of agricultural products. 2 Produced with Pride in PA: Beef

“Living on a family farm involves lots of hard work, but is one of the most rewarding ways of life. Yes, thare are days where you work hard in the hot summer sun instead of going to a pool party with your friends. But while you’re working hard, you are working next to your parents, siblings and even your grandparents, aunts and uncles. Working time easily becomes family time; baling hay can become dodge ball and mucking stalls can become a contest. And after the work is done, you get the satisfaction of knowing what you have done has made a difference and you can see your hard work pay off in the health of the ”land and animals you tended. Katie Ursitti-Anderson granddaughter of Dick McElhaney, Beef Producer, Grove City, PA Produced with Pride in PA: Beef 3

“Living on a family farm involves lots of hard work, but is one of the most rewarding ways of life. Yes, thare are days where you work hard in the hot summer sun instead of going to a pool party with your friends. But while you’re working hard, you are working next to your parents, siblings and even your grandparents, aunts and uncles. Working time easily becomes family time; baling hay can become dodge ball and mucking stalls can become a contest. And after the work is done, you get the satisfaction of knowing what you have done has made a difference and you can see your hard work pay off in the health of the ”land and animals you tended. Katie Ursitti-Anderson granddaughter of Dick McElhaney, Beef Producer, Grove City, PA Produced with Pride in PA: Beef 3