National Cattlemen's Beef Association has rolled out two fact sheets on beef production and processing

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association has rolled out two fact sheets on beef production and processing, available to consumers seeking more information about their steaks and other cuts, and how they got to the plate.The two new fact sheets walk consumers through how cattle farmers and ranchers use antibiotics in accordance with Food and Drug Administration guidelines, and the choices consumers have when buying beef in their local supermarket.Decoding the Label: Know Your Beef Choices. Beef labels can be helpful, but they can also cause confusion in the meat case. Terms like grain-finished, grass-finished, certified organic and naturally raised may be confusing to some; this fact sheet breaks down the four common labels and what they actually mean, based on USDA definitions.Antibiotics Use in Cattle. Antibiotic use in livestock is a hot topic with consumers. It is also top of mind for the beef producers who want consumers to know that we care about the issue and what we are doing to address it. The Antibiotic Use in Cattle fact sheet addresses consumer questions about how and why antibiotics are used and what the Beef Quality Assurance program is doing to educate producers about best practices. “Today’s consumer demands transparency and more information about how their food, including beef, is raised and grown,” Mandy Carr, senior executive director of Science & Product Solutions for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff. “Cattle farmers and ranchers are committed to providing answers to their questions.”To download the new tools or to find answers to other beef related questions, visit FactsAboutBeef.com.