Beef & Dairy: Powering People & Pennsylvania

May 28, 2026

Protein is one hot topic and which industries supply this rich nutrient? Beef and dairy! A cornerstone of Pennsylvania agriculture, beef and dairy combined have a $13+ billion annual economic impact.1,2 And the two industries contributed $2.6 billion to the Keystone state’s gross domestic product (GDP).2

With 1.5+ million beef and dairy cattle in the state2 on 13,000+ farms,3,4 the two industries support more than 86,000 Pennsylvania jobs.1,5 They truly help sustain local businesses like Nicholas Meat and many others.

Protein Powerhouses

Beef and Dairy are excellent protein sources, with common servings containing roughly:

  • Beef – 25 grams per 3 oz. serving
  • Greek yogurt — 12–18 grams per 5-6 oz. serving
  • Cottage Cheese — 12–13 grams per ½ cup
  • Milk — 8 grams per 8 oz. cup

How much protein do I need? Needs vary by age, activity and health history, but general recommendations suggest you get 25-30 grams of protein at each meal.

Review our infographic to learn common sources of protein in the beef and dairy industries and much more.