Do you know where your Beef and lamb come from?

You guys have heard me discuss how the four largest meatpacking companies in the U.S. (the "Big Four") handle a significant portion of the meat supply. They control about 85% of the beef market, meaning they purchase and process a large majority of the beef in the U.S. This also means they have a significant amount of power and influence over the industry, including prices for livestock and the availability of meat products. 

The United States imports a significant amount of beef, especially for ground beef production. While domestic beef production is high, imports cover a significant portion of the ground beef market, often representing around 20-30% of the total. 

Below I have included an interview that Bill Bullard of R-Calf USA USA recently gave with Fox News where he boldly spoke up and even though the interviewer tried to spin the conversation with talking points Bill stood firm. This is something we all need to speak about more.

When it comes to food no matter what that label says, it’s your responsibility to know the source!” It matters! Do you remember the last time you had a hand-picked blueberries, strawberries or even tomatoes at a local u-pick farm? It was probably very clear that these were different, larger, juicier, and sweeter. Hardworking farmers will tell you that all produce is not created equal. Produce that go to big box stores have less juice and thicker skin so that the fruit doesn’t bruise. Is it news to anyone in 2025 that buying produce from the store is inferior to local organic and conscientious farmers? When you KNOW YOUR SOURCE, you know where that fruit comes from and how it was planted, nurtured, and grown. The bonus is that locally grown or garden-sourced fruits and veggies taste as they should taste. Last week I had to do some traveling and my companions, and I stopped reluctantly at a burger joint. Don’t ask me how the burger was. Why? I don’t remember. I was fixed on the flavorless piece of red foam that they tried to pass off as tomatoes. Maybe that's why ranch dressing is so popular, to add some flavor to the not-so-fresh salads we've been eating. The point is there are alternatives. You don’t have to live like this.

While farmers’ markets can be a good option for your own garden, please be smart and KNOW YOUR SOURCE. Take time to ask the farm stand or farmer whether they are the ones that grow the produce they are offering. Large farms repackage their wares to appear small, quaint, local, and organic. Ask about their spray / no spray philosophy and how far that produce has traveled to that mornings market.

It's important for your nutrition and health to understand the source of your produce. You should understand where your meat comes from as well. I will spare the gory details on the mass production of meat and the maltreatment of cattle. A quick internet search will give you more regretful information than you want at any given moment. The majority of the world's beef supply is produced by large cattle companies focused on profit than you. This means their carbon footprint, the health of the animals and employees, the quality of the beef, and your health, are all second to profits. Often, this means that large beef suppliers treat their cattle poorly and use substandard feed. Don’t believe me? Here is an article on how some feel it is healthy to feed cattle SKITTLES. Yes, you heard me right! Skittles…

 https://www.beefmagazine.com/cattle-nutrition/dairy-farmer-explains-why-cattle-can-eat-skittles

Small herds managed by conscientious ranchers are popping up and they cry out for your support. At The No LACK Farm we are committed to humane treatment of our pasture raised cattle, and even make sure our processor(s) have the same values. When putting down cattle in an inhumane manner, hormones from the animal release, changing the flavor and the nutrition of the product. Ranchers who treat their small herds to the best free-ranging, stress-free environments produce the best meat. KNOWING YOUR SOURCE means knowing what you are feeding the people you care about. Spending a little bit more on better quality food is the gift we give our family. There is both a flavor and nutrition profile difference with beef bred for quality and mass-produced “Big Box” and grocery store beef. If you care about what goes into your body, I have three words of advice; KNOW YOUR SOURCE!

Now with that said I have some thought’s to better arm you on this journey.

🏷 Look for:

 • “Product of the USA” – But be cautious. As of now, this label *can be used even if the beef was imported and only processed (e.g., cut or ground) in the U.S.

 • More precise labels, like:

 • “Born, Raised, and Harvested in the USA”

 • “Born in Mexico, Raised and Slaughtered in the USA”

🛑 Red flag: If it only says “Product of USA” but doesn’t say where the animal was born or raised, it might be imported beef.

🔍 2. Ask Your Butcher or Retailer

If you’re buying from:

 • A local butcher

 • Farmer’s market

 • Ranch direct or custom processor

➡️ You can ask:

 • Where was the animal born and raised?

 • Was this beef USDA inspected? If you are getting it from a local producer, it may not be and that is OK! The processor doesn’t have to be USDA inspected to be a good processor. But you can ask where it was processed and call the processor and ask if you can visit.

 • Is it from your ranch, or a regional supplier?

📜 3. Check USDA Inspection Codes

Every USDA-inspected meat product will have an establishment number (Est. ####) on the label—usually in a circle or shield.

You can:

 • Google the number (e.g., “Est. 12345 USDA”) to find the processing plant

 • This tells you where the meat was processed, though not necessarily where the animal was raised

USDA Establishment Directory: https://www.fsis.usda.gov

🐄 4. Buy Direct from a U.S. Rancher or Farmer

The only surefire way to guarantee your beef was raised in the U.S. is to buy from a local or regional ranch or farm that can provide:

 • Birth-to-harvest traceability

 • Custom labels with origin

 • Processing records

📝 Ask for:

 • A bill of sale or butcher receipt

• USDA or custom exempt processing paperwork

Hopefully this helps arm you with a little more knowledge to feed your family wit the REAL FOOD they deserve!

Until next time, stay strong in your faith, love your family, and support your local community farmers!

Kevin