The True Cost of Raising Meat the Right Way - An Update on Our Pricing

Here we are again, navigating a relentless cattle market with no clear end in sight.

Across the U.S., cattle supply is at historic lows, and prices continue to rise. This isn’t a seasonal bump, it’s the result of deep, systemic shifts in our food system. Many ranches are operating at a loss. Some have already shut their doors.

You might be wondering: what’s going on with beef prices in 2025, and how does this affect Stemple Creek Ranch?

A National Market Under Pressure

The U.S. cattle herd is the smallest it’s been since 1951. Years of drought, inflation, succession barriers, and market instability have forced ranchers to reduce herd sizes or delay rebuilding. At the same time, costs for feed, fuel, land, labor, and energy have soared, all while global demand grows and post-COVID supply chains remain strained.

According to the USDA, prices for calves, steers, and even cull cows have surged, reflecting the intense pressure on producers at every level. For some ranchers, this means short-term gains. Those able to maintain herd sizes and absorb rising costs may benefit from high prices.

But for many others, the current environment is unsustainable. Long-term risks loom large, as rebuilding herds becomes increasingly difficult and expensive. The result could be a prolonged contraction of the U.S. cattle industry, a true double-edged sword.

Source: USDA – NASS, May 31, 2025

What This Means for Us, and for You

At Stemple Creek, we’ve always raised our animals regeneratively, on pasture, with respect for the land, the livestock, and you. But even with this values-driven approach, we’re not immune to what’s happening in the broader market.

We’re committed to doing this the right way. That means no shortcuts, no compromise, but it also means our pricing must reflect the true cost of producing beef responsibly. The industrial system hides its costs, passing them on to the environment, workers, and future generations. We don’t. We internalize those costs: rotational grazing, soil building, composting, water conservation, fair wages. It’s the only way we know how to do this work with integrity.

Why Our Prices Are Changing

Beef prices industry-wide have risen 15–20% over the past year. We’ve delayed adjusting ours for as long as possible, and even now, we remain below the average rate of food inflation.

But our input costs, from land leases to harvest and packaging, have increased significantly. These pricing adjustments are necessary to keep our operation healthy and ensure we can continue this work for years to come.

We know what we’re offering goes far beyond what’s on your plate. It includes the care, transparency, and stewardship behind every cut.

This Is About More Than Price

Raising prices isn’t something we take lightly. But sustainability isn’t just about the soil, it’s about people. It’s about ensuring we can support our families, invest in our team, and keep this way of life alive.

We offer healthcare, 401(k)s, paid time off, and fair wages, all rare in agriculture, but essential to us. We lease extra pasture during droughts to protect our land and future harvests. And we’ve absorbed rising costs in processing and logistics for years.

At some point, the numbers have to reflect reality. Prices aren’t just numbers. They’re signals, and in our case, they tell the truth about what it takes to raise food with care and accountability.

The Story is Bigger Than Us

Since 1935, the U.S. has lost nearly 5 million farms. In just the last five years, we’ve lost 20 million acres of farmland, an area the size of Maine (USDA, 2024). Every time a small farm or ranch closes, the opportunity for regenerative stewardship disappears. Often, that land is paved over or absorbed by industrial agriculture.

As our founder/rancher Loren says, we “dance with Mother Nature” in life and in business. And fewer and fewer are showing up to the dance.

We’re in This Together

If we want a future where land is respected, soil is nourished, animals are raised with care, and food is produced with purpose, we need to protect the people and places that make it possible.

That’s why we’re asking you, our community, to keep walking with us. You've stood by us through the good seasons and the hard ones. You’ve subscribed, visited, partnered, and believed in the work. That support means everything.

Now, as we enter this next chapter of challenge and change, we’re not backing down. We’re doubling down, with honesty, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to doing this right, even when it’s harder and more expensive. Because the future of food deserves nothing less.

We know this is a big ask. In today’s economy, every dollar matters. Supporting small, regenerative agriculture isn’t always the easiest or cheapest choice.

That’s why we’re working hard to make our beef more accessible, whether it’s by adding more farmers markets locations, expanding into local grocery stores, or creating more affordable bundles families can order directly from our website.

How you spend your money is a personal choice. But it’s also a powerful one. Every purchase is a vote for the kind of food system we want to build, one rooted in quality, care, and community.

Thank you for believing in this mission and for continuing to walk alongside us.

- Conner Hackett, Stemple Creek Ranch General Manager