58 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN November 2025 PEERS BEEF NUTRITION AND EDUCATION BUILDING TRUST, STRENGTHENING DEMAND MITCH RIPPE, DIRECTOR OF NUTRITION AND EDUCATION, NEBRASKA BEEF COUNCIL Over the past several months, the Nebraska Beef Council has been hard at work advancing programs that strengthen beef demand by building trust in beef’s nutritional value and the integrity of the people who raise it. Our focus has been clear: deliver credible, science-based education that connects healthcare professionals, students and consumers to beef in ways that are both practical and impactful. Three recent initiatives stand out in demonstrating how we achieve this mission – our statewide heart health classes, the multi-state Nutrition Adventure program and Nebraska’s own dietetic intern farm and meat science tour. HEART HEALTH CLASSES: BEEF IN A CARDIAC REHAB DIET In healthcare facilities across Nebraska, we’ve been leading heart health classes designed specifically for patients in cardiac rehabilitation. These programs meet people where they are – working within the dietary recommendations prescribed by their healthcare teams – while showing them how lean beef can fit into a heart-healthy lifestyle. Participants not only learn about beef ’s nutrient profile, including its role as a source of lean protein, iron, zinc and B vitamins, but also walk away with practical strategies for meal planning. From trimming visible fat to exploring a wide variety of lean cuts, we help patients feel confident that enjoying beef can support their recovery and long-term health. For many, it’s an eye-opening and reassuring message: beef isn’t off the table, it’s part of the solution. NUTRITION ADVENTURE: EXTENDING BEEF’S STORY NATIONWIDE Among all the programs we’ve carried out recently, none better demonstrates the power of education and collaboration than Nutrition Adventure. Hosted this spring in Nebraska in partnership with Kansas, Oklahoma and Missouri Beef Councils, this immersive, two-day event brought 25 high-impact registered dietitians from 15 states into the heart of cattle country. These professionals weren’t just any audience, they included sports nutritionists advising collegiate and professional athletes, healthcare dietitians counseling patients in hospitals and clinics, private practitioners with thriving health businesses and social media influencers with national reach. Collectively, their influence extends to hundreds of thousands of consumers. CONTINUED ON PAGE 60 NC Trade Show Exhibitor
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