The numbers are in — and they paint a clear picture: feedlot beef production is on a steady decline.
According to the latest USDA data, U.S. feedlot placements have dropped 6.6% from this time last year, and marketings are also down across the board. Feedlot operators are facing rising costs and shrinking margins, and many are holding back or exiting entirely.
The big question is... what does this mean for the rest of us?
🥩 Less Feedlot Beef Means Tighter Supply
Fewer cattle in large-scale feedlots means fewer steaks, roasts, and ground beef packages at the grocery store. And when supply tightens, prices rise — not because the food is better, but because it’s harder to get.
Even more concerning is what fills the gap: imported meat from other countries (often without clear labeling), ultra-processed meat substitutes, or beef from vertically integrated corporate systems.
🌱 Why Local, Grass-Fed Beef Matters More Than Ever
Here in Cocoa, Florida, we believe in something different. At Our Ancestors’ Foods, we raise grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pork that supports not just your health but your community.
When you buy directly from a Florida farm:
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You support independent agriculture, not corporate packers.
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You reduce dependence on foreign meat systems.
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You know exactly where your food comes from (and what’s not in it).
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You contribute to a local, resilient food economy.
While industrial beef systems are shrinking, local meat is rising and our customers are leading that change.
🛒 What You Can Do
This isn’t a sales pitch — it’s a heads up. If feedlot production keeps declining, grocery store meat will continue to rise in price and drop in quality. That’s already happening.
Your best move? Know your farmer. Buy local. Stock your freezer.
We’re right here in Cocoa, delivering across Brevard County and throughout Florida, from our pasture to your plate.