In late July, two livestock barns in Nebraska reported record-breaking prices for feeder cattle. Ranchers saw the highest per-pound prices they’ve ever received for young calves heading into the beef supply chain. That news might feel far away from your kitchen table here in Florida, but it’s a glimpse into the challenges shaping food prices nationwide.
These price surges are just one more reminder that how and where we source our food matters. For families in Cocoa, Florida and across Brevard County, buying local meat—especially in bulk—offers a way to stay connected, informed, and more resilient when national systems shift.
What’s Going On with Cattle Prices?
According to livestock market reports, sale barns in Nebraska recently saw feeder calves sell for over $300 per hundredweight. That’s an all-time high for many producers. The reason is simple: demand is high, but supply is low.
Over the past several years, ranchers have been shrinking their herds. Drought, rising feed costs, and economic uncertainty have pushed many to scale back. So when buyers go looking for cattle to feed and finish, there are fewer to go around—and that drives up the price.
When cattle prices rise at the feeder level, those costs move down the chain to processors, retailers, and eventually, to the grocery store shelf.
How This Affects Beef Prices in Florida
Florida doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Even though we’re far from Nebraska, national market conditions influence what you pay for beef here in Cocoa and throughout the state.
Here’s what typically happens when feeder cattle prices rise:
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Processors pay more for animals, which affects their margins
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Retailers raise prices to keep up with wholesale costs
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Consumers pay more per pound, especially for premium cuts
If you’re buying beef from the grocery store, you’re tied into this system. The meat might come from thousands of miles away, and the price you pay can shift overnight due to factors beyond your control.
Why Buying Local Beef in Cocoa, Florida Creates Stability
At Our Ancestors Foods, we don’t buy feeder cattle from auction barns. We raise our animals right here in Cocoa, using regenerative practices and local resources. That means:
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We’re not affected by bidding wars or commodity pricing
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We don’t rely on national feedlot systems or outside processors
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We can offer consistent availability for local meat in Florida, even when the national market gets turbulent
When families in Brevard County choose to buy direct from our farm, they’re opting out of a fragile system. They’re building a connection with a local producer, one that’s based on trust, transparency, and shared values.
Local Meat Delivery in Florida Adds Peace of Mind
We offer local meat delivery in Cocoa and across Central Florida, giving customers a reliable source of nutrient-rich meat raised on pasture. Whether it’s grass-fed beef or pasture-raised pork, the food we raise doesn’t travel across the country to reach your table.
By keeping our food system small and regional, we help:
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Reduce transportation costs and emissions
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Keep supply chains short and resilient
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Create fair pricing that isn’t tied to national speculation
If the idea of record-breaking cattle prices makes you uneasy, the solution isn’t to panic—it’s to think locally.
Final Thoughts from Cocoa, Florida
The cattle market is unpredictable, and national food systems are under pressure. But you don’t have to be at the mercy of it all.
By choosing to buy local grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork in Florida, you’re making a decision that supports your health, your environment, and your local economy. You’re also helping to build a food system that is more resilient and more transparent.
At Our Ancestors Foods, we believe your food shouldn’t be a mystery. That’s why we raise animals in a way that honors the land, the animal, and the customer.
For those in Cocoa, Florida, and throughout Brevard County, we’re here when you’re ready to reconnect with your food source.