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Are You Ready For Grilling Season?

written by

Ben Simmons

posted on

May 19, 2018

Farm Update –

May is National BEEF month. Why not celebrate with Nature's Gourmet Farm Grass-Finished Beef?

We have plenty of ground beef - everyone's favorite - for grilling hamburgers as well as many other delicious meals. Ground beef is very versatile and can be used in so many different ways. We offer it in 10#, 25# and 50# bundles that are individually vacuum sealed in 1# packs. Order yours today - and remember you can pickup directly from the farm.

Our new hens are settling in fine. While there has been some "drama" between the older ladies and the new pullet girls they are getting along pretty good. Our egg business has been very strong. The stores and restaurant sales have picked up. Not sure we will have many available for our May 30th delivery. The good news however, is our new girls will pick up the slack very soon. 

This week I have spent time getting my thoughts together for MS new Ag Commissioner's visit early next month. He will not have to try hard to do better than Cindy Hyde Smith! She left the bar on the ground. She did nothing to help small farms or to grow MS Ag Economy. MS Ag Economy is only 11.5% of North Carolina's Ag Economy and they have the goal to be $100 Billion by 2020 - the increase is double MS current Ag impact! North Carolina is growing through small farms - there are 1,000 plus small farms in NC that direct market like NGF. NC proactively encourages & trains small farmers (many are new). Cindy Hyde Smith was reactive - looking for ways to penalize and fine farmers for breaking the rules - many of which are vague and subjective. Several times when I tried to discuss this with her she would not listen. Cindy Hyde Smith only took care of the big Ag Political Donors and attend events to get her picture in the papers - both to support her political career and not the best interest of MS Farmers and Citizens! 

Also, Senator Hudson has asked me to speak at a meeting he is sponsoring in Jackson on June 12th. He is bringing in several farmers from around the state to speak to the Senate Ag Committee members. Lobbyist, Farm Bureau, etc. will be in attendance but NOT allowed to speak - only listen. And, the news media are invited to attend. This is a BIG DEAL!

Recipe Spotlight: Beth has fixed this 4-Way Beef Roast recipe several times and it has been thoroughly enjoyed by all. She has served in tacos, sandwiches, stand-alone and with eggs for breakfast.  The recipe calls for a chuck roast but you could easily use our shoulder roast. And its great to know our beef is a healthy choice and very affordable - especially when you buy the 15 lb bundle and save 15%. Check out the recipe here

Customer Feedback- 

"Great fat and flavor in your ribeyes!" ~H Trussell

Quote Worth Re-Quoting –  “Whether we and our politicians know it or not, Nature is party to all our deals and decisions, and she has more votes, a longer memory, and a sterner sense of justice than we do.”   Wendall Berry

As always, thank you for supporting our regenerative, local farm.

Ben & Beth

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Market Update – Our farm objective is to raise nutrient dense meats without all the chemicals, vaccines, hormones, and etc. And be able to provide them to a community of families at a reasonable price. We measure success based on pounds sold verses dollars earned. Current beef prices are making that harder to accomplish as families seek options to reduce their food bills. I know we have not passed along the full impact of higher prices to our customers which means we are not making as much as before nor are we selling as much beef.

Beef Pricing Update & Sausage

Beef Pricing Update – Beef prices continue to increase and hit a new All-Time high AGAIN last week. This week, the Chief Production Officer (CPO) for JBS Meats (one of the four largest beef packers) stated that prices will remain high for at least the next two years. His rationale was the low cow herd numbers, little to no indication farmers/ranchers are retaining females to grow their herds (at these high prices they are taking the money now while it is there); when females are being retained it will take over 2.5 years before a calf will be ready for harvest (9-month gestation + about 24 months old at harvest). Lastly, consumer demand remains strong.