We do get this question quite a bit...and I would love to shed light on this topic:
Why is your beef so expensive???
It used to make me really nervous, and slightly apologetic.
I want our product to be available to everyone, but there are some very important factors that contribute to the higher price tag of this Premium Product.
Quality Comes at a Price
You get what you pay for right? Clothing, cell phones, cars, cameras, craft beer.. We all know that good quality commands a higher price.
This higher quality product comes with a cost, as the production of grassfed beef requires more time and resources than conventional beef.
Grassfed Beef Production Process
The process of raising grassfed beef is more labor-intensive and time-consuming than conventional beef production.
Cattle raised on pasture require more space to roam and graze, which means higher land costs for farmers. (Our ranch would be worth a lot if it were subdivided and sold as real estate for houses).
Additionally, grassfed cattle take longer to reach market weight since they are not fed growth-promoting hormones or antibiotics.
We harvest our cattle between 18-30 months, whereas the conventional beef industry harvests from 12-16 months.
Downs Ranch beef generally live over TWICE as long as conventional beef--every day longer they are alive, it is a mouth to feed. Double the lifespan, double the cost of feed.
We move our cows constantly rather than just stick them in a feed lot to sit in their manure with thousands of their friends.
Again more labor=more money.
Feed Costs and Seasonality
Grassfed beef producers incur higher feed costs since we rely SOLELY on grazing pasture rather than inexpensive (and gov't subsidized) corn feed.
We don't use grain to put fat on quickly and cheaply. We use the cow's God-given ability to turn grass into lean, nutrient-dense muscle.
The seasonality of grass growth also impacts production costs, as cattle require hay for 6 months out of the year. Winters are long up here.
For every field we harvest, a tractor passes over it 4 times (cut, rake, bale, stack).
Machines are expensive and so is diesel! If you hate taking your car to the mechanic, imagine taking a tractor. An $8k repair bill could almost make you cry.
We have a swather, loading tractor, baling tractor, baler...and many other high-dollar tools to do our job. All cost money to maintain and repair.
Certification and Standards
Downs Ranch Beef is Certified Organic, which guarantees that our product is raised without the use of antibiotics, hormones, chemical fertilizers, or harmful pesticide sprays.
These certifications require additional paperwork, inspections, and compliance with strict guidelines, all of which add to the cost of production.
We don't cut corners but do things for the benefit of the land, the animals, and our health...the right way isn't the cheapest way.
Market Demand and Supply
The growing consumer demand for grassfed beef has also played a role in its higher price.
As more people seek out this premium product for its health benefits and environmental sustainability, limited supply creates a higher price tag.
The average age of the American rancher is over 60 years old.
According the last USDA census, 47 farms are lost EVERY DAY in America.
It's expensive to raise food and compete in a market where billion-dollar corporations control over 80% of the beef supply.
When they raise prices it's to line their pockets--the farmer hardly ever benefits.
As a young family raising grassfed beef on our family ranch, we are NOT the norm.
We charge a price that enables us to feed our family and continue to do what we do.
We're not getting rich, but our customers appreciate our product and we get to continue to use our land for raising beef rather than turning it into a housing development.
Next time you're at the grocery store and debating between conventional beef and grassfed beef, remember that the higher price of grassfed beef reflects the quality, production process, and market dynamics that make it a premium product worth the investment.
With that in mind consider Reserving your Share of our 2024 Herd during our Annual Harvest Pre-Sale.
Deposits open up July 1st!
Shop our Beef Shares here and pick out the size that is RIGHT FOR YOU and your family.
