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SEE WHAT'S NEW THIS WEEK FROM YOUR FARMER
- Beef Pricing Update
- New Sausage Flavors Coming
- Egg Status
- Product Availability Update
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.
One of my farmer friends I met through the Grassfed Exchange Conference raises beef in AR using the same protocols we use here on our farm. When we are short of beef to fill orders we buy ready-to-harvest beef from him. His price is up 17.5% since November 2024, BUT is still lower than what is being sold at my local auction barn that is not ready for harvest.
I remember reading about a similar market situation in 1974. The cattle market was on fire - and MS Ag Commissioner told farmers "A million more in '74". Shortly thereafter the market crashed and farmers could not give calves away. Where will prices go from here? Good question! But, as a farmer I would be cautious buying young calves that would not be ready for market in the short term.
August 2nd newsletter I mentioned that beef prices would be going up in our store following the Jackson Metro delivery weekend (meaning any deliveries after August 16th would be at the higher prices).
This morning I spent time taking a very through inventory of all beef & chicken items and most pork items and updated our store inventory. The rest of the day was spent working on beef pricing. So, we settled for a flat 5.5% increase for beef items except ground beef which increased 10%; otherwise we could not cover the cost of packaging, etc. And, ground beef is about one third of the meat from an animal.
 It's important to note that processing prices have not been increased even though expenses like electricity, vacuum bags, etc. have definitey increased.
Note also that prices for pork, chicken, lamb, and eggs have not increased at this time. I spoke with my lamb farmer this week and he said his price will be the same as in the Spring. Our feed supplier has mentioned their prices will be reviewed after the fall harvest begins.
New Sausage Flavors Coming - First, I want to say thanks to all the folks who took the time to send their feedback on our sausage inquiry. Your responses were very helpful. Like most things there were several suggestions that led the pack. So, that is where we will start our journey.
We are gathering the ingredients and plan to make our new flavors August 26 & 27 after chicken processing in the morning. Flavors include:
- Jalapeno and Pineapple
- Jalapeno and Cheese
- Brown Sugar Maple
Stay tuned. They will be ready for September delivery orders.
Eggs - Soaking the hen feed has certainly helped the lay rate, but we are still about 10 cases short per month. So, I had a neighbor drive my truck and freezer trailer to MO to another farmer friend from the Grassfed Exchange Conference (networking is an important component of success) and picked up 120 cases of regenerative, pasture-raised, NON-GMO brown eggs plus 30 cases for another local farmer friend.
This should keep us in stock while our flock recovers plus we have new pullets coming in September after the weather cools a bit.
At Nature's Gourmet Farm, our intent is to create a community that evolves around one of the most intrinsically important things of the ages, and that’s the provision of sustenance. That's our passion - to raise healthy food to nourish families and strengthen 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 and protects the ecosystem.
** Product Availability Update **
NOTE: Restocks are made about 6 PM on the dates indicated below!
Chicken - Restocked August 13th. Next restock August 27th
Turkey - Hatchery is now taking orders. Have poults scheduled for July 10th (arrived) and August 20th. Additionally, Thanksgiving whole turkeys are on order for late October delivery. Look for pre-order notice NLT mid October
Eggs - Restock each Tuesday prior to your delivery date.
Beef - Next restock will be August 24th
Pork – Restocked August 13th. Cured items in about 12 days later.
Lamb - Restocked March 27th. Next Restock will be September 2025.
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