Why America's Pastures Are Going Quiet
Just another day in the Ozarks. Our herd moving to fresh pasture under open skies.
Y'all, the beef industry is having what I can only describe as a "hold my beer" moment.
Record prices? Check! Ranchers going out of business? Also check! It's like we're living in some upside-down world where winning makes you lose.
Last June, the US imported the equivalent of 417 semi trucks of beef EVERY WEEKDAY while American ranchers sold off their breeding stock. That's like importing water while standing in a lake. Makes total sense, right?
Here's the situation: Breeding cows are worth $5,000+, so every 67-year-old rancher (and that's the average age, folks) is looking at their cows like their golden parachute. "Should I keep Bessie for calves? Nah, I'm too old for this gamble!”
Multiply that decision by thousands of ranchers, and here we are: The national herd's smaller than when Elvis was skinny. We're basically eating tomorrow's hamburgers today, which sounds like a time-travel movie gone wrong.
Source: CLARA CHARTS — "U.S. Beef Imports Hit Record High in 2024, Projected Even Higher in 2025," National Beef Wire.
Here's the plot twist: When you buy direct from farmers, magic happens. We keep our cows. Young folks can start farming without selling kidneys. Old ranchers get a real retirement option beyond the corporate buyout.
Look, I get it – paying more for beef from independent farmers stings at the checkout. But the alternative is letting four companies control all the beef, and if you think they'll keep prices low once they own everything, I've got some oceanfront property in Arkansas to sell you.
A look at your farmers: too stubborn to quit, too optimistic to know better.
Every Grass Roots purchase is basically a vote for "let's not let beef become the Hunger Games." We've got 10 years to keep enough independent ranches alive, or we'll be explaining to our grandkids what real beef tasted like.
No pressure though. 😄
Your farmer (stubbornly optimistic),
Cody
P.S. – Our beef comes from ranchers too stubborn to quit and too optimistic to know better. It's a winning combination.