AMES, IA – Iowa cattle farm families are raising quality beef for future generations through sustainable production practices. The Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) announces the release of two beef farmer profile videos featuring Kennedy Cattle Company and Plowman Farms, Inc., aimed at helping consumers understand the production methods used to provide safe, wholesome and affordable beef. Each family’s story is unique and provides a small glimpse into cattle farming in Iowa.

Kennedy Cattle Company located outside of Atlantic, is where brothers Zak and Mitch Kennedy share their family’s commitment to raising beef in the most safe and efficient way. Zak, with wife Emily, and Mitch are the 4th generation to own and operate the farm. They purchased the farm from their parents who still live close by and are always willing to help when needed. The legacy they are building for future generations includes safe animal handling, the use of vaccines, hormones and antibiotics when necessary. They are a diversified farm growing corn, soybeans and alfalfa in addition to raising beef cattle in their feedyard. The family has several employees who assist in the day to day operations who share the same commitment of safe animal handling and raising the high quality cattle to produce beef for consumers.

Kennedy Cattle Company of Atlantic, Iowa is a family farm. Featured are Steve & Judy Kennedy, Zak & Emily Kennedy with children Clara, Cassidy and Cadence, and Mitch Kennedy all working together to raise safe, affordable beef for consumers. (Photo courtesy IA Beef Industry Council)

“We strive for excellence every day and hold each other accountable within our business,” Zak comments about the philosophy he shares with Mitch at Kennedy Cattle Company. Cattle farmers and ranchers have many tools to keep the animals in their care healthy and safe, including nutrition programs, veterinary care, facilities that ensure comfort, and good management practices, such as low-stress handling, vaccines and antibiotics, when necessary. No matter the tool, when it comes to animal health, the practices are science-based, regulated and, above all, good for the animal and the consumer. “Consumers hold us to a high standard and rightfully so, we are up for that challenge,” Zak shares. “We eat the same product they do, we are very concerned our kids, and friends and family have a safe product and wholesome product to eat. We are going to do our best to make sure it’s a great product in the end.”

In regards to the safe animal handling, a nationwide effort known as the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program helps to ensure the consumer, the animal, the environment and the beef community are cared for within guidelines and regulation. BQA is a program that provides information to U.S. cattle farmers and ranchers along with beef consumers on how common sense husbandry techniques, like low stress animal handling, can be coupled with accepted scientific knowledge to raise cattle under the best management and environmental conditions.  The family and staff at Kennedy Cattle Company are all BQA certified.

To watch the farmer profile stories and to learn more about the families, visit www.iabeef.org.