Why Ranchers Are Struggling to Get You Quality Beef (And What You Can Do About It)

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Hello everyone, I recently had the pleasure of chatting with Natalie and Tara, the dynamic duo of the Discover AG Podcast. They come from two very different but equally important parts of agriculture, Tara is a dairy farmer, and Natalie is a cattle rancher. We dove deep into a lot of topics about food, farming, and the changes happening in agriculture right now. I want to share some of the insights from our conversation to help you better understand what's going on behind the scenes in the food you eat every day.

Who Are Natalie and Tara?

Before we dive in, here's a quick intro. Both come from families that have been farming and ranching for generations, Tara can trace hers back five generations, and Natalie is a fourth-generation rancher. Their deep roots give them a unique perspective on how farming has evolved over time.

Changes in the Food and Farming World

It's been about two years since I last spoke with Natalie and Tara, and so much has changed since then. One big change is how much more people care about where their food comes from. Natalie said, "It just feels like it's been really ramping up. A lot of people have questions...people are getting a little bit more savvy when it comes to where they're getting their food content and information from."

People want to know the truth about their food, but with that comes a challenge. Tara explained, "There's a lot of greenwashing tactics going on...people spreading misinformation and not always being transparent." This means that some companies might use buzzwords like "tallow" to sound healthy, but they're not always telling the whole story about their products.

Transparency Is Key

Transparency is a big word in the food world today. Consumers want honest information about what they're buying and eating. Tara said, "Consumers are craving transparency across the board, more so than ever in the food system." This means people want to know if the food is truly healthy, how it's made, and if the people selling it are being honest.

What Is Regenerative Agriculture and Why Does It Matter?

You might have heard the term "regenerative agriculture" before. It's a way of farming and ranching that focuses on improving the health of soil and the environment. Natalie and Tara talked about how this idea has become more popular and better understood over time.

"I do think regenerative has come a long way," Natalie said. "People are more comfortable with it, and the questions have shifted from ‘What is regenerative?' to ‘How does this food impact my health?'"

That shift from just caring about how food is grown to caring about how it affects your body is a big deal. More people now want to know how their food helps them stay healthy, not just how it's made.

Challenges for Farmers and Ranchers

While it's great that people want better food, it's not always easy for farmers and ranchers to get their products to consumers. Natalie shared, "Farmers and ranchers have a full-time job raising the animals. Starting a new business to sell food directly to consumers is a huge challenge."

One big bottleneck is finding places to process the animals. Tara explained, "There are only so many slaughterhouses, and they're often backed up. That makes it hard to sell meat directly to customers." This means many ranchers have to sell their animals to big companies instead of directly to local buyers.

The Role of Technology

Both Natalie and Tara are hopeful that new technology will help fix this problem. They imagine a future where an app could connect farmers and ranchers directly with people who want to buy their food. Natalie said, "My hope is that we will see a savvy tech app that fills that gap and makes it easier for both sides to meet without extra hassle."

Milk: Local and Important

Milk is a very local product, usually traveling less than 100 miles from farm to store. Tara explained that this is because milk is heavy and needs to be kept cold. "Milk usually stays local because it's expensive to transport and must be refrigerated," she said.

One interesting topic we covered was raw milk versus pasteurized milk. Raw milk is milk that hasn't been heated to kill bacteria. Tara shared her thoughts: "I've spent half my life drinking raw milk and half drinking pasteurized milk. I believe in food choice, but if you drink raw milk, you have to be very careful about where it comes from and how it's handled."

She also mentioned that pasteurized milk is a great, affordable way to get important nutrients. "People have to understand the risks and benefits of both," she said.

Where Does Our Beef Come From?

Many people don't realize that some beef sold in the U.S. isn't 100% American. Natalie explained that ground beef often contains trimmings from other countries like Canada and Mexico. This is done to get the right mix of lean and fat in the meat.

There's a label called COOL (Country of Origin Labeling) that's supposed to tell you where your beef comes from, but it's complicated. Natalie said, "The label is voluntary now, and it's hard for consumers to know exactly where their beef is from."

This global trading makes it tricky to always know the origin of your food, but it also shows how connected the world's food system is.

Understanding the Cattle Population and Market

There's been talk about the cattle population shrinking, but it's part of a cycle. Tara explained, "Sometimes droughts or high costs force ranchers to sell animals, so the number goes down. Then when conditions improve, herds can grow again."

It takes a long time to raise cattle, so these changes don't happen overnight. "It can take 18 months to 2 years for a cow to reach processing age," Tara said. This means the market moves slowly and depends on many factors.

Subsidies and the Food System

Subsidies are government payments that help farmers manage costs. Natalie and Tara talked about how complicated this topic is. Different crops and animals get different amounts of support, and some areas need more help than others.

"Subsidies protect our nation's food supply, but the system needs improvements," Natalie said. They hope future policies will better support specialty crops and sustainable farming.

Are People Willing to Pay More for Quality Food?

One big question is whether consumers will pay higher prices for better food. Natalie shared a tough truth: "People say they want quality, but when they get to the store, many pick the cheapest option."

Tara added that many people have tight food budgets and have to choose between food and other expenses. "It's not always about understanding value; it's about what fits in their budget," she said.

However, there are groups of people, especially those with health concerns, who do prioritize quality. Natalie explained, "People battling illness or shopping in areas with good local options are more willing to pay extra for healthy food."

The Power of Food Choice and Awareness

We also talked about how people often don't realize the impact of their food choices until they experience a change. For example, Tara mentioned how her husband gave up alcohol for 40 days and noticed he slept better. "People don't always know what feeling great really feels like," she said.

This means that once people try healthier food and lifestyles, they often don't want to go back to old habits. It's about learning and experiencing the benefits firsthand.

Looking Ahead: Optimism for the Future

Despite the challenges, Natalie and Tara are very optimistic about where agriculture is headed. They see a growing interest in food, health, and farming that could lead to big improvements.

"It's exciting to see food and health conversations becoming mainstream," Natalie said. They believe that with time, more transparency, and better technology, the food system will become stronger and healthier for everyone.

Discover AG Podcast: A Voice for Farmers and Ranchers

If you want to hear more from Natalie and Tara, check out their podcast,Discover AG. They bring real stories from farmers and ranchers and break down complex topics in a fun and easy way. You can find them on YouTube, Instagram, and wherever you listen to podcasts.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is regenerative agriculture?

Regenerative agriculture is a way of farming that focuses on improving soil health, water retention, and overall environmental sustainability. It helps farms stay strong and healthy for the future.

Why is transparency important in the food industry?

Transparency means being honest and clear about how food is made. Consumers want to know if their food is healthy, how it's produced, and if companies are truthful about their products.

What challenges do farmers face in selling food directly to consumers?

Farmers often don't have the time or resources to manage sales and marketing. Also, there are limited processing facilities, like slaughterhouses, which can slow down direct sales of meat.

Is raw milk safe to drink?

Raw milk can carry risks if not handled carefully. It's important to know the source and how the milk is processed. Pasteurized milk is safer for most people and still very nutritious.

Why does ground beef sometimes come from multiple countries?

Ground beef often mixes meat from different sources to get the right fat and lean balance. Some trimmings come from countries like Canada or Mexico, which can make labeling complicated.

Are people willing to pay more for higher quality food?

While many people say yes, budget constraints often lead them to pick cheaper options. However, some consumers, especially those focused on health or with access to local food, do pay more for quality.

Where can I listen to the Discover AG Podcast?

You can find the Discover AG Podcast on YouTube, Instagram, and all major podcast platforms by searching for "Discover AG Podcast."

Thanks for reading! If you want to learn more about the food system and hear from real farmers and ranchers, give this episode a listen here: https://youtu.be/3TOb4qCVtiQ

Chapters:

0:00 Beef Supply Is Shrinking??

1:39 Generational Ranchers on Modern Farming

5:01 Beef & Cooking Oil Misconceptions

6:43 Consumers Want Food Transparency

10:08 Chemicals in Food and Your Health

11:57 Local Beef Stores: Challenges Ahead

15:38 Ranchers Struggle With Beef Processing

17:21 Buying Directly From Ranchers Helps

20:21 Raw vs. Pasteurized Milk Explained

21:48 Ensuring Quality in Beef Processing

24:50 The Truth About Imported Beef

26:34 U.S. Beef Labeling Issues

29:55 Drought and Cattle Decline

31:31 Ranching and Industry Consolidation

34:46 Subsidies and Beef Quality

36:14 Farmers, Subsidies, and Rising Costs

39:24 Consumers Choose Electronics Over Food

40:55 Debate Over U.S.-Only Beef Labels

43:54 Why Convenience Beats Quality in Food

45:17 Challenges of Promoting Quality Food

48:28 Future of Sustainable Food Practices

49:55 Fixing the Food System Slowly

53:01 Consumers Want to Know Their Farmers

54:30 Pop Culture and Agricultural Interest