Building Connections: Future Health Professionals Explore Arizona's Beef Community and Nutrition
Tiffany Selchow, Director of Social Marketing and Consumer Outreach | December 2, 2024
The next stop took the interns to the Quarter Circle U Ranch, where Amy Doyle, owner, and Jordan Selchow, ranch manager, shared their unwavering dedication to the well-being of their animals and the delicate desert landscape in which the cattle live and graze. Amy gave a history of the ranch, which started in 1896. She included the family legacy she shares with her father, Chuck Backus, who purchased the ranch in 1977. Amy and her husband Mike continue the work to raise high-quality cattle to produce high-quality beef.
A final highlight of the day was a nutrition presentation given by Emma Mortensen, a registered dietitian with a background in animal and meat science. Emma shared the nutritional benefits of beef, covering topics such as the types of nutrients found in beef, including protein. One serving of beef, which is about 170 calories, contains 51% of the recommended amount of protein for adults, making it a nutrient-dense food.
This year's tour pre and post-tour survey results were stand-outs. 85% of participants expressed their intent to recommend beef as often as other proteins after the tour. Along with positive comments, the survey data and insightful “aha” moments serve as a testament to the tour's impact and the potential it holds for the future of beef recommendations.
When asked about something that stood out to them about how cattle are raised, one survey response was, "The main goal is to reduce the stress that animals experience to produce good quality meat." Another said, "Something that stood out to me was how much work and care went into raising a healthy cow. All along, I thought that ranchers would only feed their cows a high-calorie diet so that they are plump, but today I learn that they would have to consume a moderately healthy diet that allows them to gain weight steadily so that they are able to produce high-quality meat products."
When asked what they will remember about beef and nutrition, one said, "All the fad info out there is actually not true… specifically health and how cattle are raised."
This tour provided future health professionals with invaluable insights into the beef community and the principles of animal husbandry that prioritize animal well-being and environmental stewardship. By engaging directly with Arizona cattlemen and women, the interns gained a deeper appreciation for the complexities of raising cattle and the nutritional benefits of beef as part of a balanced diet. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from participants highlights the importance of such educational experiences in shaping perceptions about beef and its role in nutrition.
As these health professionals move forward in their careers, they are now equipped with the knowledge and understanding necessary to advocate for the benefits of including lean beef in a healthy eating pattern, helping to reinforce the connection between agriculture and nutrition in fostering public health.
About the Beef Checkoff Program
The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA Approval. For more information, visit BeefBoard.org.
About the Arizona Beef Council
The Arizona Beef Council is a non-profit organization served by a Governor-appointed nine-member board of directors representing cattle growers, cattle feeders, and dairy farmers. These volunteers oversee Arizona’s Beef Checkoff-funded programs. About the Iowa Beef Industry Council The Iowa Beef Industry Council is funded by the $1-per-head national Beef Checkoff Program and the $0.50-per-head Iowa State Beef Checkoff. Checkoff dollars are invested in beef promotion, consumer information, research, industry information and foreign market development, all with the purpose of strengthening beef demand. For more information, visit iabeef.org.