Ranch It Up Radio Show & Podcast

Episode: Cultivated Meat Business Folds
Hosts: Jeff “Tigger” Erhardt & Rebecca “BEC” Wanner
Date: January 2, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode of Ranch It Up, Tigger and BEC focus on a significant development in the cultivated meat sector: the closure of Dutch startup Meatable. The discussion provides insights into the broader implications for ranchers, the future of lab-grown meat, and legislative responses across the U.S. The hosts also feature a segment with rancher John Fox, discussing quality beef and cattle market perspectives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Spotlight: Reputation and Demand for Quality Cattle (00:09–00:40)

• John Fox shares experience:
  John Fox discusses his positive experience with sustained demand for his Galvie-influenced cattle, emphasizing the importance of reputation in the cattle market:

  • Quote:
    "We've got a reputation. Whenever we sell our cattle, we've got some buyers that want to know when we're going to sell. That's another positive... Even in the times whenever, whenever there was so many cattle moving... we still had that demand for our cattle."
    — John Fox (00:09)

  • Fox notes that even in times of high cattle inventory, quality and performance kept his cattle in demand.

  • He highlights crossbreeding strategies as a “feather in our hat,” underscoring resilience and adaptability in successful ranching.

2. Industry Update: Cultivated Meat Sector Setbacks (01:15–02:15)

• Major closure in cultivated meat industry:

  • Meatable, a Dutch cultivated meat startup (founded 2018), shuts down after failing to secure more funding.

  • Their technology focused on using stem cells to produce items like pork sausages and dumplings.

  • Quote:
    "Founded in 2018, the company used a specific strain of stem cells as it sought to produce pork sausages and dumplings through a system that sped up the conversion of stem cells into fat and muscle. Doesn't that just sound delectable?"
    — Tigger (01:18)

  • Meatable’s business model aimed to supply raw materials to other meat companies but proved financially unsustainable, contributing to its closure.

• Broader market impacts:

  • Meatable’s closure echoes the recent shuttering of Bernard Believer Meats.
  • Other industry leaders like Good Meat and Upside Foods are reportedly facing slower growth.

• Legislative landscape:

  • States including Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, and Texas have passed laws restricting or banning the sale and manufacture of cultivated meat products.

  • Some bans are temporary and face legal challenges, indicating active debate.

  • Quote:
    "As of late 2025, Alabama, Florida, Indiana, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska and Texas have passed laws banning or restricting the sale, manufacturing and distribution of cultivated meat, with bans varying in scope and duration, though some are temporary and face legal challenges."
    — Tigger (01:36)

• Industry skepticism and shifting sentiment:

  • Media and industry observers had warned about the business risks and uncertain market for lab-grown meat.

  • The hosts underscore a growing consensus that consumer demand for such products is minimal.

  • Quote:
    "I think it has become painfully obvious to these companies that no one wants to eat lab grown fake meat. Period."
    — Tigger (02:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Fox on reputation:
  "We've got some buyers that want to know when we're going to sell. That's another positive... our cattle have been performing, you know, outside of our realm. And so that's another feather in our hat..."
  — John Fox (00:09)

• Tigger’s dry humor on cultivated meat:
  "Doesn't that just sound delectable?"
  — Tigger (01:19)

• Tigger on public perception:
  "It has become painfully obvious... that no one wants to eat lab grown fake meat. Period."
  — Tigger (02:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:09 — John Fox on cattle market reputation
• 01:15 — Segment on cultivated meat company Meatable's closure
• 01:36 — Overview of state bans on cultivated meat in the U.S.
• 02:10 — Hosts’ commentary on consumer sentiment for lab-grown meat

Summary

This episode delivers practical insight for working ranchers and those curious about the real impacts of “fake meat.” The hosts combine market updates with candid, relatable commentary, highlighting both business challenges in the cultivated meat sector and the ongoing premium placed on high-quality, traditionally raised beef. For listeners in the cattle industry—or anyone tracking the future of food—the episode underscores the resilience of ranching communities in the face of industry innovation and regulatory change.