Gov. Laura Kelly toured Cross Country Genetics in Westmoreland, Kan., May 10, to proclaim the month of May as Kansas Beef Month. The governor was joined by the Kansas Department of Agriculture and other agricultural community members.

“Cross Country Genetics is proof that right here in Kansas, we are advancing technology that results in higher-quality and lower-cost beef for people around the world,” Kelly said. “As we celebrate Beef Month, I want to thank all of the farmers and ranchers for the dedication they show to the Kansas beef industry. They are driving Kansas agriculture into the future.”

Beef cattle contribute nearly $13 billion annually to the state’s economy, and the beef industry is the largest agricultural sector in Kansas.

“Kansas beef leads the nation and the world in raising high-quality beef cattle and continues to expand the industry with innovative beef genetic advancements,” said Mike Beam, Kansas secretary of agriculture. “I’m proud of the tremendous impact that the beef industry has in local communities across the state, and we all appreciate the contribution it makes to the state’s economy every year.”

Kelly visited Cross Country Genetics to highlight the increasingly important role of cattle genetics in the Kansas’ $1.8 billion international beef export market.

Cross Country Genetics is an embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization and donor care management veterinary facility. These services involve giving cattle hormones, and collecting and fertilizing eggs within the animal, or outside of the donor animal in a lab. The technologies used at Cross Country Genetics enable beef producers to maximize the genetic potential of their herd while increasing beef production and quality.

“Cross Country Genetics is excited to host the governor to promote May as Kansas Beef Month,” said Clay Breiner, a veterinarian at Cross Country Genetics. “We are excited to work with our clients to promote Kansas beef and agriculture in the state of Kansas.”

Source: Kansas Governor’s Office