In today’s Beef Buzz, senior farm and ranch broadcaster Ron Hays speaks with Certified Angus Beef President John Stika about the growing momentum behind beef as a top protein choice for consumers. The conversation comes as new dietary guidelines and shifting consumer trends are putting a stronger spotlight on the role of protein—especially beef—in everyday diets.
Stika says the newly released dietary guidelines that emphasize protein at every meal—and include a positive outlook for red meat—were welcomed news for the beef industry. “Did our jaw drop? I think that’s probably well put,” Stika said. “The dietary guidelines now align with what we believe they always should have.” He adds that the confirmation of beef’s nutritional value reinforces a message the industry has been sharing with consumers for decades.
According to Stika, the updated guidelines only add momentum to an already strong consumer trend toward protein-rich foods. “It’s been stated a couple different times with regard to protein that beef is having a moment. We like to say beyond having a moment, it’s really having a movement,” he said. Stika noted that the nutrition story around beef has been consistently positive, and the new guidelines help validate that message in a meaningful way.
He also points to several factors driving beef demand, including increased interest in high-protein diets and the growing use of GLP-1 medications that often lead consumers to prioritize protein intake. “It’s phenomenal to see the positioning of beef as a primary supplier of the protein that health-conscious consumers are looking to eat in volume,” Stika said, adding that consumers are not only getting a nutritious option but one that also delivers great taste.
Looking ahead, Stika believes quality will continue to drive the market, particularly as production of higher-grading beef increases. “I saw that 2026 is projected to be the year that we produce more prime than we do select in this industry,” he said. Stika notes that demand for premium products such as Certified Angus Beef Prime continues to grow, showing that even in a high-price environment, consumers remain willing to pay more for quality beef.
The Beef Buzz is a regular feature heard on radio stations around the region on the Radio Oklahoma Ag Network and is a regular audio feature found on this website as well. Click on the LISTEN BAR for today’s show and check out our archives for older Beef Buzz shows covering the gamut of the beef cattle industry today.
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