It's barbecue season and the perfect time to grill up a good old Alberta steak.

According to a recent BMO survey, Albertans are the most likely to buy Canadian when shopping for beef.

83 per cent of Albertans surveyed said they would buy Albertan beef, above the national average of 78 per cent.

"I think Albertans are very supportive of their community and farming in general," says Bill Hogg, Vice President, Commercial Banking, Alberta/NWT, BMO Bank of Montreal.

He adds that the Alberta cattle industry provided $3.2 billion in farm cash receipts in 2011 which is more than 30 per cent of total farm income.

"Alberta is also the biggest beef producer in the country," Hoggs says. "Alberta beef has a great reputation right across the country and you hear people talk about it. If someone is looking to buy a steak they always want to make sure it's Alberta beef."

He says the beef sales go up in the summer months because everybody loves to get outside and barbecue.

"One of the big things over the summer is barbecuing. People just love to get out and barbecue because it's affordable for families and convenient to do at home," Hoggs says.  

BMO says barbecuing is a great choice for Canadian families because a family of four going out for a steak dinner, with dessert but no alcohol would spend about $130.

On average it would cost $35 to buy similar products for a home barbecue, which essentially saves you $95.