why beef prices are climbing and why local farms like Ours matter more than ever

If you’ve been paying attention to the beef industry lately, you’ve probably noticed the headlines: beef prices are up, the U.S. cattle herd is shrinking, and it’s getting harder to find high-quality beef at a fair price.

So, what’s really going on behind the scenes, and what does it mean for your next steak dinner? Let’s break it down.

a shrinking u.s. beef herd

The U.S. cattle herd has dropped to 86.7 million head, the smallest it’s been since 1951. (Yep, back when people were just getting TVs in their living rooms.)

Calf numbers are also down another 1% this year, which means the supply of beef isn’t bouncing back anytime soon.

At the same time:

• Cattle prices just hit an all-time high

• Imports from Mexico have been paused due to screwworm outbreaks

• Feed prices are rising due to Midwest droughts

• Tariff threats and export slowdowns are tightening global supply

In short? It’s a perfect storm of higher demand and lower supply, which means higher prices are coming. Fast.

what this means for your grocery store beef

If you’re buying beef at the grocery store, expect prices to climb... and quality to drop.

With U.S. cattle numbers this low, there’s growing reliance on lower-quality imported beef to fill the gaps. That means the “product of the USA” label doesn’t necessarily mean what you think it does.

why buying from local farms like hi brau matters

At Hi Brau Beef, we’re proud to raise every animal right here in Newberry, South Carolina, on family land that’s been farmed for generations.

Because we raise, finish, and dry-age all our beef ourselves, we’re a little more insulated from the wild swings of the industrial beef supply chain. That said, we’re still feeling the pinch from rising costs on:

• Hay and grass seed

• Fuel for farm equipment and deliveries

• Meat processing and packaging

But we’re not here to pass every fluctuation on to you. Our promise is simple: do everything we can to keep prices fair, and quality exceptional.

now Is the time to support small farms

Buying from a local farm like Hi Brau isn’t just about food, it’s about knowing where your food comes from, how it was raised, and what’s (not) in it.

You’re supporting:

• Better soil through regenerative practices like bale grazing

• Healthier cattle raised without hormones or unnecessary antibiotics

• Beef that’s dry-aged, full of flavor, and marbled the right way

And best of all? You’re getting craft beef that’s built on values, not mass production.

stock up on better beef before prices rise

We don’t know exactly where beef prices are heading next, but the trend is clear. So if you’re looking to fill your freezer with local, responsibly raised beef that tastes like beef should... now’s the time.

Whether you want to try a single cut or stock up with a bulk box, we’ve got you covered.

Shop Hi Brau Beef Now

Your tastebuds (and your grocery budget) will thank you.