The Pike County Cattlemen and Cattlewomen will celebrate October as Beef Month from 2 until 5 p.m. Friday at the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 231 in Troy.

Members of the Pike County Cattlemen’s and Cattlewomen’s associations will be in the meat department handing out recipes and pamphlets with nutritional information about beef. And, there will also be free samples of different cuts of beef cooked different ways.

The local cattle producers’ organizations didn’t have to twist retired Alabama Beef Producers Association promoter Ed Whatley’s arm to get him on board with the celebration. In fact, he volunteered to be the chief cook for the celebration.

“For 40 years, the state of Alabama has been celebrating October as Beef Month,” Whatley said. “This is an opportunity to promote beef as a delicious and nutritious food source. Every day we are finding more nutritional value in beef. Because of changes in raising cattle, new breeding techniques and management practices, beef is a lot leaner now than it was 10 years ago.

“Beef is also loaded with ZIP – zinc, iron and protein. And, on top of all that, it just tastes so good.”

Not only is beef nutritious and good tasting, Whatley said. “And, it’s easy to prepare.”

“Grilling is a popular way to prepare beef. Put a steak on the grill, add a baked potato and a green vegetable and you’ve got a meal in about 10 minutes.”

Some of the beef samples available at the Beef Month celebration Friday will be flavored with Whatley’s original seasoning, Cattlemen’s Steak Shake.

Working with the Alabama Cattlemen’s Association, Whatley had opportunities to experiment different spices and develop the unique seasoning that is good on any kind of beef and other food as well.

“We keep Cattlemen’s Steak Shake on our dining table to sprinkle on vegetables, salads and soups instead of salt,” Whatley said. “And, it makes a wonderful dip for chips.”

Steve Garrett, owner of the Piggly Wiggly on Highway 231, said he is proud to participate in the Pike County Cattlemen’s and Cattlewomen’s Beef Month celebration.

“A lot of people like beef and this is an opportunity to learn more about the beef products and sample different cuts of beef that are cooked in different ways,” he said.

Alabama is a big beef cattle industry state and has one of the largest and strongest Cattlemen’s associations in the country.