Episode Overview

Title: $10 Dollar Per Pound For Ground Beef? Some Say Yes
Hosts: Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt & Rebecca “BEC” Wanner (Tigger & BEC)
Date: November 21, 2025
Focus: This episode dives into the rising cost of ground beef, the factors pushing prices towards a potential $10 per pound benchmark, and the larger market forces at play in beef production, including droughts, shrinking cattle herds, and policy debates.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shrinking Cattle Supply and Record Demand

• The episode spotlights a sharp rise in beef prices, especially ground beef, due to a combination of limited supply and high consumer demand.
• Cattle inventories are at their lowest in 70 years, primarily because of ongoing drought conditions, significantly impacting ranchers and the beef supply chain.

Notable Quote:
“We are heading for what I’m calling the $10 a pound reality. By 3Q26, families are going to see $10 a pound for ground beef in the grocery store. So we’re in for quite a haul here now.”
—Omaha Steaks President & CEO Nate Rempe ([01:18])

• Nate Rempe predicts this high price point won’t subside until "sometime in 2027," emphasizing the duration and severity of the situation.

2. Consumer Price Index and Inflation Data

• Referencing recent data, hosts detail how beef prices have surged:
  • Beef and veal: Up 14.7% year-over-year as of September.
  • Uncooked ground beef: Up 12.9%.

Market Data Segment:
“Beef prices are at a record high after a drought left cattle inventory at the lowest level in 70 years... According to the latest Consumer Price Index data, beef and veal prices rose 14.7% year over year in September, while uncooked ground beef was up 12.9%.”
—Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt ([02:10])

3. Policy and Political Controversy

• Secretary of Agriculture Brook Rollins is cited, placing blame for the beef price spike on the prior administration’s efforts to reduce herd sizes, which were perceived as climate-focused interventions.

Notable Quote:
“We are suffering from the last administration’s literal war on cattle. They wanted to reduce the herd size because they believe that cattle cause climate change.”
—Brook Rollins ([02:46])

• The hosts reference current media coverage and statistics, suggesting that policy and environmental regulatory pressures are now being hotly debated in the context of food prices.

Memorable Moments & Tone

• The episode’s tone is urgent and informative, seeking to alert ranchers, consumers, and industry professionals to the pressing realities of the beef market.
• There’s a blend of practical market reporting and pointed commentary on how government initiatives and global economic forces impact rural America’s way of life.
• Notable segments include predictions from beef industry executives and direct references to controversial opinions on cattle and climate change.

Important Timestamps

• 00:41 – 01:20: Market context and expert prediction on $10/pound ground beef
• 01:20 – 02:10: Discussion of drought, cattle herd shrinkage, and official price increases
• 02:10 – 02:46: Quoting Consumer Price Index data and economic factors
• 02:46 – 03:16: Secretary of Agriculture’s remarks and attribution of price rise to policy

Conclusion

This episode of Ranch It Up Radio Show & Podcast is a must-listen for those concerned about the future of beef prices, the realities facing cattle producers, and how rural Americans are coping with market and political pressures. The hosts provide a concise yet impactful update rooted in real-world data and industry testimony, arming listeners with the knowledge they need in a shifting landscape.