Tough Time To Be A Farmer

Last week I shared the thank you note Julie had sent stating how happy she was that we have stayed around for so long!

Wednesday was chicken processing day. So, while slaughtering I reflected back on her comments and was recalling all the farms that were operating when we started and how not a one of them are still in operation. Additionally, I can remember several that have started and quit since then.

I'm part of a list serve of like minded farmers. I remember back in the Spring of 2020 at the start of the Covid fear and how store shelves emptied due to the major processing plants closing.... and how people rushed to find local farms to buy from. Do you remember this?

At the time we only had the small 12x12 ft walk-in freezer and before we realized what was happening all we had left was a pack of chicken feet and a few packs of beef liver. Everything else was sold out.

Other farms on the list serve said the same thing. And lead times at local processors jumped from a few weeks to 6 plus months then more than 12 months out.

And we all wondered if the demand from all these new customers would last after the big plants started opening back up.

Speaking for our farm I would say only a very small remnant of these customers continued to buy from our farm. The majority returned to the conventionally raised items they buy from their grocery store. That means they were not concerned about the health benefits of pastured raised meats, or the humane handling, or the positive impact our animals have on soil health and the ecosystem where they live.

David, a long time MS Gulf Coast customer, sent me this article Tuesday. The author does a good job describing the nutritional, humane, and environmental benefits from pasture raised animals. Click to read A Cut Above: The Many Benefits of Grass-Fed Meat. Be sure to also check out reader comments on the right side of the article.

Today, inflation is also affecting your farmer! Layer feed has increased almost every month this year. The chicken and pork feed only slightly less. Hay prices for our cows this year will be at least 25% higher than last year. I needed to replace two tractor tires that cost $1350 or about 40% higher.

Lastly, processing cost continues to increase. For example, late July we had two cows turned into hamburger. Just the processing cost was $4.27 per pound. That does not include the production cost to raise the beef, sales & marketing cost, distribution cost, and etc.

We know consumers are feeling the inflation impact as well and are starting to make different choices. Chicken is one area where demand has dropped - so we will adjust our production down to meet the lower demand and protect our farm. The farm in N. Alabama that quit last winter had to sell out because he overproduced, sales did not cover his cost and forced him out.

It is tough to be a farmer these days! Both conventionally and regeneratively. When making trips back from processors recently I noticed a lot of corn that has been ready for harvest still out in the fields. With all the rain in the SE USA in the last 4-6 weeks I would be concerned about it molding & rotting in the field. We have had so much rain even our tractors have mold & mildew on them.... haha

And, if you believe what elites like Larry Fink, CEO of Blackrock and part of the WEF's Great Reset scheme, who stated that if you are 50 and under you will soon see inflation worst than any other time in your life. That puts us back to the early 1980's when I remember 18% plus interest rates brought on by the Carter years.

Frankly, my greater concern is another event like the Spring of 2020 that shuts down large processing plants for extended time periods. What will families do then?

In the mean time, we are here to help families that are committed to healthy, regenerative food for their families.

Maybe you have been looking for premium ALL NATURAL GOODNESS of beef, pork, chicken, and eggs raised on pasture as God intended - with emphasis on Regenerative Principles and NOT conventionally raised animals (with growth hormones, drugs, chemicals, and antibiotics) - and where animals are treated humanely - then you have come to the right farm. Our delivery schedule and product availability is listed below along with order buttons that will take you to our website where you can browse over 90 product choices and place your order from the convenience of your home. It's that simple!

Lastly, Beth & I thank you for trusting us with your food dollars.

Yes, I want to Place My Order

** Product Availability Update **

Chicken -Restocked Thursday, August 25th. Next harvest date is September 14th with restock the following day

Eggs - Eggs are still tight but better. Thanks for your patience and remember to check our website each Wednesday just before YOUR delivery.

Beef - Restocked Thursday August 25th. Next restock will be September 26th.

Pork - Fully Stocked except bacon. Next harvest date is Monday, August 15th.

Lamb - Next harvest date is later this fall.