Have you ever stood in the meat aisle at the grocery store, eyeing a steak for dinner or checking out your fellow producer’s product, only to overhear a shopper say, “I can’t believe how expensive this beef is! Ranchers must be rich with how much we’re paying for it.”
As producers, we know the reality: that $24.99 steak yields only a small fraction back to the rancher. Behind every package on the shelf is a story of early mornings, late nights, winter feedings, fall cattle drives, and significant investment—both financial and personal.
“We heard from consumers that they want to support family ranches, buy local, and make a difference with the products they purchase. But we weren’t sure how to do that through conventional production methods,” says Mary Formann, founding Country Natural Beef family rancher.
What if every steak purchased meant more than just a meal? What if it meant supporting family ranchers directly—putting more of the margin back into their pockets to reinvest in the land, the animals, and the future of sustainable ranching?
That’s exactly what 13 ranching families envisioned in 1986 when they came together to form Country Natural Beef Cooperative—a family rancher-owned company built to support people, land, and animals while ensuring fair returns for the hard work behind every cut of beef.
Today, Country Natural Beef is proud to be the largest rancher-owned meat cooperative in the nation, with over 85 member ranches across 11 states. Together, we provide customers with high-quality beef while ensuring our members receive competitive returns on their cattle.
Why Join Country Natural Beef?
As a member of the cooperative, you’re not just a supplier—you’re an owner. That means:
- More margin in your pocket: By cutting out the middleman, profits go directly to our rancher-members.
- A voice in the business: Members help shape decisions around product attributes, loyalty programs, and more.
- Dedicated support: Our expert team handles sales, marketing, production, and financial services—so you can focus on your ranch.
- Shared knowledge: Our membership includes some of the top regenerative ranchers in the industry, creating a powerful network of shared expertise.
Over nearly 40 years, we’ve built strong customer relationships, developed loyalty programs, and refined payment structures—all with one goal: to do better for the people, land, and animals today and tomorrow.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you’re interested in learning more about Country Natural Beef or exploring membership opportunities, click here to connect with us. We’d love to hear your story and explore how we can support your ranching journey.
