Ivey declares October ‘Beef Month’ in Alabama
Alabama’s 62-year Beef Month tradition returns as cattlemen across the State spend October promoting one of Alabama agriculture’s key industries
TL;DR: Gov. Kay Ivey has proclaimed October as Beef Month in Alabama for the 10th time as Governor. The tradition dates to 1964 and will feature beef promotions and events across the State throughout the month.
October is officially Beef Month in Alabama.
Governor Kay Ivey has once again proclaimed October as Beef Month, continuing a State tradition that dates back more than six decades.
The Governor’s Office published Ivey’s 2026 Beef Month proclamation on Sept. 10. This marks the 10th time Ivey has issued the proclamation since becoming Governor in 2017.
October has been recognized as Beef Month in Alabama since 1964, making this the 62nd year of the tradition.
The first Beef Month was proclaimed by Gov. George Wallace in September 1964. According to the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, cattlemen launched a major Statewide campaign that year, distributing more than 35,000 posters, signs, hats, flags and other items to promote beef consumption.
What started with “Eat More Beef” stickers and other simple promotions has since grown into a month-long campaign involving cattle producers and local Cattlemen’s chapters across Alabama.
This year, the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association and its county chapters plan to mark Beef Month with local events, advertising and other promotions aimed at keeping Alabama beef on consumers’ minds.
The association has been preparing local chapters for the campaign for months. At its August quarterly meeting, ACA Executive Vice President Erin Beasley said county leaders received training and resources to help them prepare for October Beef Month activities.
The annual “Cattlemen of Beef Month” contest will also return.
County chapters earn points throughout October for efforts such as community events, promotional booths, steak sandwich sales, volunteer work, sponsorships and “Cowboys in the Classroom” programs.
At the end of the month, the chapter with the most points earns the title “Cattlemen of Beef Month.”
Past Beef Month campaigns show just how broad those local efforts can become. In 2025, county cattlemen held cookouts, school visits, farm tours, beef cookoffs, steak sales, fairs and other events. Statewide promotions also included digital advertising, television cooking segments and a Beef Checkoff presence at Talladega Superspeedway.
The celebration also highlights the size of Alabama’s cattle business.
In Ivey’s 2025 proclamation, the State described beef cattle as one of Alabama’s largest farm industries, with an estimated value of $2.5 billion. The proclamation said Alabama had about 17,972 farms with cattle and roughly 1.3 million cattle and calves.
For Ivey, this year’s proclamation brings her participation in the Alabama tradition full circle. Her first Beef Month proclamation as Governor came in 2017, when she urged Alabamians to support cattle producers and recognize the industry’s role in the State.
Ten proclamations later, the message remains much the same.
October is Beef Month in Alabama — and Alabama’s cattlemen would be more than happy to see a few more steaks, burgers and briskets on the menu.
The Governor’s proclamation is below:
