WHY BEEF IS EXPENSIVE, BUT RANCHERS ARE BROKE. | 2022 Beef Cattle Crisis | Micro Ranching for Profit

The video discusses the beef ranching crisis, with rising prices of beef at grocery stores and declining profits of beef ranchers. The beef supply chain is dominated by four major meat packers who control 80% of the US beef supply, allowing them to manipulate prices. The repeal of the mandatory country of origin labeling act (M-COOL) enables meat packers to import foreign beef and label it as a product of the USA. The video also highlights the high cost of beef and the financial struggles of ranchers in 2022. Beef prices at grocery stores have increased by 40% since 1990, and a small group of meat packing companies have significant control over pricing and supply. Supporting small farmers and local grass-based farmers is crucial for food security and maintaining access to quality food. Strategies for building profit into a beef cattle business include selecting grass-based cows, reducing feed inputs, maximizing forage resources through rotational grazing, marketing directly to consumers, and avoiding expensive equipment and infrastructure. It is important to resist and fight for the well-being of families, local communities, and the integrity of the food system.

Beef Ranching Crisis

Rising prices of beef at grocery stores
Declining profits of beef ranchers
Disparity between prices and profits
Workings of the conventional beef industry
Reasons behind high prices
Three strategies for still profiting from beef cattle in 2022

Explaining the beef supply chain

The beef supply chain is dominated by four major meat packers who control 80% of the US beef supply, allowing them to manipulate prices. The repeal of the mandatory country of origin labeling act (M-COOL) enables meat packers to import foreign beef and label it as a product of the USA. However, there is a proposition to reinstate M-COOL in Congress. The video focuses on the 2022 beef cattle crisis and the financial challenges faced by ranchers.

Key points:

Ranchers, feedlots, meat packers, and consumers are involved in the beef supply chain.
Tyson, Cargill, JBS, and National Beef Packing Co control 80% of the US beef supply.
Centralization of power in the meat packing industry allows manipulation of live cattle prices.
The repeal of M-COOL enables meat packers to import foreign beef and label it as US products.
There is a proposal to reinstate M-COOL in Congress.
The video discusses the high cost of beef and the financial struggles of ranchers in 2022.

Why are meat prices so high at the grocery store?

Beef prices at grocery stores have increased by 40% since 1990, and this is not due to food shortages. A small group of meat packing companies have significant control over pricing and supply. They can manipulate prices by setting their own prices and limiting supply. Small farmers make up the remaining 20% of the meat supply chain in the US and collaborate with private processors to deliver meat directly to consumers. Supporting these small farmers is crucial for food security and maintaining access to quality food. Consumers need to be aware of the risks posed by the centralized meat processing system and support local grass-based farmers. Investing in these farmers is an investment in infrastructure and the future of food sustainability.

Beef prices at grocery stores have increased by 40% since 1990
A small group of meat packing companies have significant control over pricing and supply
They can manipulate prices by setting their own prices and limiting supply
Small farmers make up the remaining 20% of the meat supply chain in the US
Small farmers collaborate with private processors to deliver meat directly to consumers
Supporting small farmers is crucial for food security and maintaining access to quality food
Consumers need to be aware of the risks posed by the centralized meat processing system
Supporting local grass-based farmers is important
Investing in these farmers is an investment in infrastructure and the future of food sustainability

How to build profit into your beef cattle business.

The most profound aspect of building profit into your beef cattle business is to focus on selecting grass-based cows, reducing feed inputs, and maximizing forage resources through practices like rotational grazing. Additionally, marketing directly to consumers and avoiding expensive equipment and infrastructure are key strategies to increase profit margins.

Key points:

Select grass-based cows
Reduce feed inputs
Maximize forage resources through rotational grazing
Market directly to consumers
Avoid expensive equipment and infrastructure

Why am I telling you all of this?

Small farming is urgent and important in the face of challenges
Forces are working against the food system
It is crucial to resist and fight for the well-being of families, local communities, and the integrity of the food system.