IMPACT

15 key facts about beef

 

Who doesn't love a good steak? While waiting for the meat to be cooked to perfection, we’ve rounded up 15 interesting facts on beef and cattle that will entertain and wow you and your friends.

by Beef Collective on 11.03.2021
  1. Brazil is the top exporter of beef in the world (2,5 million/ton2), followed by Australia, India and U.S (1.4 million/ ton2).
  2. Wagyu beef from Japan is the most prized beef in the world and can cost up to US$450 per Kg (US$200/lb).
  3. Cows will usually form a close bond with just 2 to 4 other cows.
  4. Uruguay, New Zealand, Argentina, Australia and Brazil are the only countries with more cows than people.
  5. The marbling of the meat is determined by both genetics and nutrition.
  6. Cows have great senses. They can see in color and can smell up to six miles away.
  7. The byproducts of beef production (such as bones, hooves and horns) are used to create many new products, like piano keys and dice.
  8. The world produced 60.28 million metric tons of beef in 2020, down 1.36 million metric tons from 2019.
  9. A 635 Kg (1,400 lb) steer, one-half inch fat and average muscling, yields an 400 Kg (880 lb) carcass.
  10. Cattle can see approximately 300 degrees around but not directly behind themselves. Vertical vision is limited to about 60 degrees.
  11. A 170 gr (6 ounce) portion of beef provides more than half of the day’s recommended amount of selenium and zinc.
  12. To ensure safe and delicious ground beef you should cook it to an internal temperature of >71 degrees Celsius or 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
  13. Disneyland (California) sells over 4 million hamburgers each year.
  14. Black Angus is the most popular breed in the US, followed by Charolais and Hereford.
  15. The hide from one cow can make 144 baseballs, 20 footballs or 12 basketballs.