Iowa’s cattle industry is a strong contributor to the state’s economy, and is well positioned for growth, a study recently released by Iowa State University (ISU) found. The study, which explores the economic importance of Iowa’s beef industry, was funded by the Iowa state beef checkoff in cooperation with Iowa State University, Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn and Iowa Area Development Group.

In 2016, Iowa’s beef industry generated an estimated $6.3 billion, of economic activity in the state of which $4.09 billion was the result of direct spending by the industry, the...