ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – New surveys show more Americans are adding meat to their meals, a shift New Mexico ranchers say supports the state’s role in beef production.

A survey cited in the report found 45 percent of shoppers say they are trying to put meat into their diet.

New dietary guidelines

This comes after meat became a bigger part of the federal dietary guidelines introduced this year.

“The recommendation was increased from 0.8 to 1.2 to 1.6. I’m not going to get into it if this was justified or not. But yes, there is definitely a push that people should eat more protein,” said Peter Pribis, an associate professor of nutrition and dietetics at the University of New Mexico. “And unfortunately in America, when you say protein, people think beef.”

Market research company Circana found Americans bought $112 billion worth of meat last year.

Another survey from a food industry group found 98 percent of American households buy meat.

New Mexico ranchers point to healthier beef options

Carollann Romo, executive director of the New Mexico Beef Council, said rising demand also brings more focus on education for ranchers.

“Something people don’t always know about beef is that there’s more than 40 cuts that are considered USDA lean. And so if you’re looking for a lean protein, you look for the word round or loin in the name,” said Romo. “And so that lean beef has always been something that would be valuable for people to reach out to.”

Is beef the only source of protein?

Pribis said protein does not have to come from meat, and pointed to nuts, beans, and potatoes as being able to help meet protein needs.

“People can be on extreme diets but generally speaking when you are eating enough energy, you are eating enough protein,” said Pribis.

Pribis said many Americans may already get more protein than they need, and he said the body does not store extra protein long term.

Milder air is present for most compared to yesterday with passing clouds, but with little precipitation. Clouds are partially absorbing yesterday’s warmth from escaping into space, and gustier conditions from the west are mixing that air around, but the drop in the jet stream has led to the slight coolness in the air to start for most.

Air temperatures in the north are starting off mostly from around the upper 20s to the 40s, except for some northern areas starting off around the lower 50s, while elsewhere to the southeast, air temperatures are mostly ranging from around the high 30s to the lower 60s.

Many areas from eastern New Mexico to the Pecos River Valley area will range from the 60s to the 80s from north-northwest to south-southeast from high to low elevation. The northern higher elevations will mostly range from the high 30s to around 50°, while the northern valley floors to western and central areas will mostly range from the upper 50s to the low 80s. Very gusty showers with some rumbles of thunder will be more likely not only in the mountains to nearby areas, but also in the San Juan Basin, the western communities, parts of the Rio Grande Valley, to parts of eastern New Mexico. Storm motions will primarily be moving to the east-southeast.

Temperatures will eventually drop even more tomorrow with the fire threat at least elevated for many eastern areas for both days. For the next couple of days, thunderstorms may locally be strong with brief bouts of moderate rainfall, some graupel & hail, high elevation snow in northern areas, some lightning, & damaging winds possible in local areas with the jet stream overhead.

Mostly clearer skies will then return later in the week with the jet stream rising back to the northeast, allowing for warmer air to also return with calmer winds before the next gusty cooldown.

It might not be the first one that comes to mind, but the wide world of sports includes horseshoe pitching, and this weekend New Mexico was at the epicenter of a national horseshoe competition.An estimated 350 competitors, supporters, and spectators descended on Mariposa Basin Park in Albuquerque this weekend for the U.S. Open Horseshoe Tournament. Pitchers came from more than a dozen states including Ohio, Idaho, California, Colorado and of course, New Mexico.”This is a fantastic opportunity for us to partner with the Albuquerque Sports Commission and the local horseshoe community,” said Dalton Rakestraw, 2nd vice president of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association and the tournament director. “Albuquerque has an incredible venue at Mariposa Basin Park, a passionate local club and a welcoming community that make it an ideal destination for a national-caliber event.”In addition to visiting competitors, local horseshoe stars include Manuel Garcia, an Albuquerque native and New Mexico Horseshoe Club president.Also expected to make his mark is Santonio Callado, who began pitching when he was eight years old and finished second in the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association World Tournament in Sandy, Utah. He wants to finish first next time.Concentration is the key to his performance, Callado said.”I keep my mind going, not looking around, because I get kind of sidetracked looking at my Mom or looking at somebody. Then I can’t throw,” Callado said. “But when they’re not in my vision, I start throwing again and I start hitting.”