Some Thoughts On US Beef
posted on
September 6, 2026
Some Thoughts on US Beef - The week of August 23rd exactly 100 folks signed up on my website! That is roughly 10 times the typical average per week. Ninety-eight new customers will receive today's newsletter. So, what caused the surge? Good question. Please reply and tell me "why did you sign up"?
This weekend we will deliver our largest number to date of orders on our Coast Route. Forty-eight percent of the total weight of 3,173.71 pounds will be Beef. Demand for our product remains strong - thankfully.
This week I read one of Joel Salatin's Musing emails about beef and how the administration has done little to support cattlemen. Frankly, that is a BIG FAT LIE! Possibly motivated from the administration NOT giving his "Food Freedom Emancipation" any traction.... at least to date. For the record, I agree with his reasoning for Food Freedom even though there are not many households where I would "trust" to fix a chicken pot pie and sell to me. Just like I am picky what restaurant I eat at.
The USA farming issue is not new. This has been in the making for decades - at least since 1977 when Wendell Berry debated then Sec. of Ag Butz who told farmers to get big or get out. Mr. Berry told Butz his policy would destroy the small family farm and rural America. And, unless you have not noticed, Wendell Berry was right!
As you may have heard, Wendell Berry passed away Monday, August 31s,t at 92 years old. In my opinion he is one of the few folks I know who held true to their faith, principles, and convictions - never succumbing to the greed and power that controls many.
Friday morning Jeff Louderback who writes for the Epoch Times called to discuss my thoughts on US Beef Herd. Here are some of my observations I shared with him:
- the US population continues to grow. The number of people farming continues to shrink.
- high schools in my area quit teaching Home Economics and Agriculture as well as Vo-Tech trades. Replaced with arts, sports, tech. Very poor strategy! Should not expect all kids to attend college. Most Land Grant colleges are poor stewards of taxpayer money and exist to support Big Ag.
- Fall of 2025 many of the "older" long-term small farmers in my area sold their herd and retired. Those farms now sit idle.
- I applaud the Trump administration for arranging the 300,000 metric tons of ground beef imported from Argentina. This is only a short-term fix to support long-term solutions. But, it provides WHOLE FOOD for families at a low cost for the 90% plus people who don't care that their beef is imported.
- Frankly, I have read Dr. Anibal Pordomingo's (from Argentina) work on gourmet grassfed beef. In my opinion, Argentina does a much better job raising beef for harvest than most of the farms in USA. In the early 2000's I traveled to Monterray, MX numerous times. One of my favorite restaurants served beef imported from Argentina that was among the best steaks I have ever eaten.
- There has been much pushback regarding the import of Argentinian beef. We have to be careful to understand who is "funding" these protest comments and what they have to gain or lose. The Big-4 meat packers, processed & ultra-processed food corporations, fake meat corporations, Bill Gates?, organizations like Cattleman's Association & Farm Bureau (neither are small farmer friendly). I have been around long enough to know there is more here than we probably will ever know.
- You cannot rebuild the US cattle herd AND continue harvesting replacement heifers AND maintain US consumer demand for US beef. Something has to give. Ranchers should not want consumers to switch away from eating beef which will happen if prices continue to increase. That only leaves the option to import beef to feed consumer demand so ranchers will retain replacement heifers and build the US herd
- Bottom line is we do not have enough folks farming (or who want to farm) to pickup the slack. Decent land will cost $4500-$5000/acre. Mama cows will cost $2800-$5000+ depending on age, breed, etc. Dr. Williams during his meeting August 10th stated it now cost farmers $1200-1400 per year per cow.
- Timeline from conception to harvest looks like this- heifer bred at 15 months of age. Plus 9 month pregnancy. Plus 24-30 months for the calf to be ready for harvest. That is a total of 48 to 52 months conception to harvest. In the meantime the farmer has bills to pay. Where does the money come from during this period?
- The latest USDA numbers say farmers only receive $0.058 cents from every retail food dollar. Farmers MUST convert to a direct to consumer model - the closer to the customer you are the better your income will be. Farmers need to QUIT being a slave to the big ag corporations.
Now, Salatin, what has the administration done? Well, Meat+Poultry magazine published an article August 31st titled, USDA Outlines Ranchers First Initiative to Rebuild US Beef Herd. The article includes five Rancher First Initiatives beginning with heifer retention. The writer also includes a list of Previous actions. It's a pretty good article and I would encourage you to read it.
Additionally, Friday, September 4th, the USDA released this in-depth article "President Trump Signs Executive Orders, Cementing Status As Most Pro-Rancher Administration in History".
Picture of the Week - This week's picture is from about 15 years ago when we were just getting started good.
Half-Beef Custom Processed Orders - SEPTEMBER harvest order window closed August 24th. October harvest window is now open until September 28th. Harvest will be October 7th with availability about October 26th.
Follow this link to check out our Custom Processing Ordering Tips, to place an order and complete your individualized cut sheet. Please reply to this email with any questions.
And, when you buy a half or whole beef receive a Jaccard Meat Maximizer tenderizer at no extra charge. Jaccard is the choice of professional chefs and cooking enthusiasts for more than 40 years! The Meat Maximizer improves meat tenderness and texture, reduces marinating & cooking time, and is easy to clean and maintain.
Nature's Gourmet Farm product value proposition is to create a community that evolves around one of the most intrinsically important and critical needs of the ages, and that’s the provision of sustenance. That's our passion - to raise healthy animals to provide nutrient dense protein and saturated fat that nourish families and strengthens immune systems.
Our Beef is always grass finished with NO grains. Additionally, our animals are free of mRNA, GMO's (chemicals), Antibiotics, and Hormones. We ethically raise them on diverse forage pastures that regenerates our soils; grows the MOST nutritious beef, pork, chicken, turkey, and eggs; and protects our ecosystem.
Let me encourage you to "Be The Change" our food system needs by "Voting With Your Fork" at every meal.
