BigAg screwing over family farms in the US has reached a tipping point

[chieftain]

This is but the tip of the iceberg (isn't it always)?

 

[Fatrat]

Watching meat prices surge is unreal.

 

[chieftain]

Watching meat prices surge is unreal.

I was staggered when I saw what you guys are paying for semi-prime cuts right now.

 

[glockngold]

Watching the video posted by chieftain about the crop farmers selling at a loss to "big grain", along with the snap shots of beef at 50 bucks a pound,
I know it's hard to change the way a farmer is used to doing business, but the trick is to get as close to end user as possible.
All those fields to export corn and soy which is cattle food, should be fed to cattle in this country.
Perhaps butchered by a local coop meat plant & off to the grocery stores.
A relative of mine makes a fair living feeding their herd with grain & fodder from their own 75 acres.
They sell locally to customers that order 1/2 or 1/4 of a beef as it is available to put in their freezer.

 

[Fatrat]

That's what I'm looking into, quarter beef in a freezer sounds much better...

 

[Vichris]

We (just the wife and I) bought a side of beef & a half hog last year, 2024. We've gone through most of it now. I have friend's here who sell both hogs and beef. We'll eat through what meat we have left and make a decision in the spring about refilling our freezers. It's definitely going to cost more but we'll see where it's at in the spring or summer

 

[chieftain]

Watching the video posted by chieftain about the crop farmers selling at a loss to "big grain", along with the snap shots of beef at 50 bucks a pound,
I know it's hard to change the way a farmer is used to doing business, but the trick is to get as close to end user as possible.
All those fields to export corn and soy which is cattle food, should be fed to cattle in this country.
Perhaps butchered by a local coop meat plant & off to the grocery stores.
A relative of mine makes a fair living feeding their herd with grain & fodder from their own 75 acres.
They sell locally to customers that order 1/2 or 1/4 of a beef as it is available to put in their freezer.

As much as their buyers (supermarkets and meat processors) are a problem, the video was focused on the farmers input costs. Going direct to the consumer would help a little, but the farmer would then be on the hook for freight and logistics, something currently borne by the wholesale buyer.