Hey there,
Early Monday, our social media editor, Jordan Maddox, chatted me: “Are you seeing everyone freak out about ground beef rn?” Yep. I had watched many Instagram videos of cute farmers with cute cows in the past 24 hours.
Jordan grew up on a farm in East Texas. Her dad is a landman. (Yes, like ol’ Billy Bob.) She was more than casually interested in the story; she needed to scratch this itch. She wrote back within 10 minutes: "Decatur has a livestock auction every Monday and it’s happening right now. Want me to go over there and try to talk to people IRL?"
Hell. Yes.
By the end of the day, we had a story about the impact of Trump’s tariff and beef policy (is that what we’re calling it?) on the local cattle market. We learned a few fascinating things, like that data centers are trying to poach ranches. But for now, high beef prices allow ranchers to make enough profit to sustain their businesses and grow their herds (not sell out, in other words).
But just that day at auction, sellers got $400 less per head (about a 15% drop) because of the instability Trump injected in the market. Hayden Scarborough, who Jordan spoke to, had bought a few cattle. He said if prices keep falling, expect ranchers to as well. He said people need to be patient; buy Texas beef, the herds will grow and prices will stabilize.
Or think about how you want your data center steak cooked.
The whole conversation is online, and I implore you to read it if you care about our food pathways, land and a trade that defines Texas. (Or if you ever read and loved "Lonesome Dove.")
We’re now working on a list of places to buy local beef. Check back soon.
And in that same vein, last week we ran an article about a trip to the Texas Hill Country for fall wine events and how some Lone Star State wines are getting international acclaim. Legit!
That led to a meeting with the Texas Wine Growers, an association that advocates for Texas-grown, plucked, fermented and bottled wines. I'm fascinated with Panhandle vineyards, like Reddy and Llano Estacado. There's a frustrating amount of misunderstanding surrounding Texas wine makers and fakers. The next time you're out, if possible, ask for a bottle of wine from "Texas-grown grapes."
And might as well ask for a Texas-grown steak to go with it ... while you still can.
Moo,
