The beef industry is fighting for its place on the dinner plate after a federal government report last week left lean meat out of what is considered to be a healthy dietary pattern.

The advisory committee re­­port from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) is inconsistent, and if adopted, will lead to conflicting dietary advice, the National Cattlemen’s Beef As­­sociation (NCBA) said.

According...