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Cattle and corn--a match made in IowaAmerica's finest beef comes from a state at the heart of American agriculture, in a fertile grain belt that spreads through the center of the United States. Thanks to its rich black soil, abundant fresh water and favorable environment, Iowa can boast of America's top corn harvest--a foundation for the state's production of high quality beef. Iowa also leads the U.S. in the production of renewable fuels such as ethanol, which is primarily made from corn. Ethanol yields co-products such as distillers grains, which make excellent cattle feed. Distillers grains are an excellent source of protein, energy and fiber, and are rich in minerals. The use of distillers grains in cattle rations has been extensively researched and according to Iowa State University, distillers grains can compromise up to 50 percent of the dry matter in cattle rations. Cattle performance is similar or slightly improved when compared to feeding corn. Iowa's beef industry is responsible for about seven percent of U.S. beef production. Iowa produces some of the world's most flavorful, juicy and tender beef. This is made possible, in part, by the high quality corn and corn ethanol co-products that are produced in the state and fed to Iowa cattle. This makes Iowa very competitive with other domestic and international livestock producing areas around the world. Iowa beef, corn and ethanol facts Iowa produced 2.4 billion bushels of corn in 2007 --565 million bushels were fed to livestock; --863 million bushels were turned into ethanol; --555 million bushels were exported to other countries; --367 million bushels were made into corn oil, sweeteners and starches. Current annual production capacity in Iowa is 2.2 billion gallons of ethanol and approximately 6.6 million tons of distillers grains. Each bushel of corn yields 2.7 gallons of ethanol and about 18 pounds of animal feed. Most of Iowa's corn crop goes into animal feed. In livestock feeding, one bushel of corn converts to about 5.6 pounds of retail beef. There are 18 cents of corn in a pound of hamburger. Corn-feeding is greatly responsible for the superior flavor, juiciness and tenderness found in Iowa beef. Those who have eaten beef from grain-fed cattle know there is a difference. A careful corn-feeding regimen, combined with superior genetics, gives Iowa beef its distinctively well-marbled consistency, maximizing flavor and tenderness. Ultimately the proof is in the product--so get out and enjoy a juicy hamburger or a thick steak today.
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