Beef prices are at record highs, and families everywhere are feeling it at the grocery store. In this episode of the Dust’er Mud Podcast, local farmers Rich and Shelley break down why beef is so expensive right now and what it means for everyday consumers, direct-to-consumer producers, and cattle ranchers. We’ll explain how big processors are slowing down cattle purchases, why some packers are losing nearly $300 on every head they process, and what’s really happening behind the scenes that drives those eye-popping prices on ground beef and steaks. More importantly, we’ll answer the big question: so what? What can you do about it? Whether you’re a shopper trying to keep beef on the table, a farm-to-table producer, or a traditional cow-calf rancher, we share practical steps to navigate these tough times. Beef isn’t just food—it’s part of our culture, our family meals, and our way of life. When prices skyrocket, it hurts more than just the wallet. Join us for a candid, no-nonsense look at what’s really happening in the beef industry and how you can respond. Watch our previous videos The Woman Who’s Changing the World • https://youtu.be/XCgaXw8SzJw?si=Rk-mkAfmhje-4um2 We Caught a Glyphosate Troll: What’s Really Behind the Hate? • https://youtu.be/AoB3KYhoLBI?si=ynl_VMs1LbaK3e56 Big Ag is Lying—Here’s How We Take Farming Back • https://youtu.be/VAjOD94RfLM?si=o68Plxljn5Tb5h7s The MAHA Fallout: Breaking the Cycle of Chemical Dependence • https://youtu.be/kG0oBYrsWqU?si=sc_G_QCP4BM85rBF 0:00 - Beef Prices at Record Highs2:35 - Are Big Processors Slowing Down?7:40 - Packers Losing $300 a Head12:55 - Why Grocery Beef is So Expensive18:20 - Families Trading Steaks for Ground Beef23:45 - The Herd is at 1950s Levels28:10 - So What? What It Means for Consumers32:25 - So What? What It Means for Direct-to-Consumer Farmers36:50 - So What? What It Means for Ranchers & Backgrounders41:30 - Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts