Organic Beef Demand is on the rise!

Organic Beef is Booming: Why Texas Ranchers Should Take Notice

Organic beef is no longer a niche product—it’s a fast-growing category with powerful momentum. According to the Organic Trade Association’s 2024–2025 Organic Market Report, organic beef sales surged 36.7% last year. That’s the highest growth rate of any food category—and the most significant gain in the organic beef market in 20 years.

This demand is fueled by consumers looking for:

• Clean, hormone- and antibiotic-free protein
• Animal welfare
• Environmental stewardship

However, much of this market is currently being supplied by imports—primarily from Australia and Uruguay. That’s where Texas ranchers come in.

Texas Has the Cattle—Now It Has more Processors

Texas leads the nation in cattle production, yet very few certified organic beef operations have emerged in the state. The reason? Lack of access to certified organic meat processing facilities.

That’s now changing.

Two Texas processors are leading the way:

• All Hale Meats near Wolfforth, close to Lubbock
• Huse’s Country Meats in Malone, TX (east of Hillsboro)

Huse’s, a long-standing family-owned processor known for quality smoked meats, has recently become certified organic, thanks in part to rancher Larry Widman of Leafy Creek Farm. Larry helped initiate and complete the certification process so he could market his own beef—and he continues to assist other ranchers with organic slaughter scheduling.

To schedule your organic cattle for processing:
📧 widman@leafycreekfarm.com
📱 325-330-2170

Modeling Success: Open Range Beef in Nebraska

Texas ranchers can look to Open Range Beef in Nebraska as a blueprint. Run by Tim Goodnight, this company processes and markets organic beef across multiple channels—from retail and foodservice to private label and club stores. Their success proves that domestic supply chains can work—when producers and processors are aligned.

Contact Tim Goodnight 🌐 openrangebeef.com

Why Texas Is Ideal for Organic Beef

Texas has a unique opportunity:

• Abundant native rangeland well-suited to low-input, organic grazing
• Proximity to two certified organic processors
• A central location to serve local, regional, and statewide markets

With the infrastructure in place, ranchers can now tap into the fastest-growing sector in organic food.

One potential outlet is Pederson’s Natural Farms in Hamilton, TX, known for high-quality natural meats. As supply increases, retailers like Pederson’s—and others—can become key distribution points for Texas-grown organic beef.

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Could Tariffs and Trade Changes Open the Door Further?

While Australia and Uruguay currently supply a large share of organic beef imports, this supply chain is vulnerable to:

• Global trade shifts
• Export restrictions
• Increased transportation costs
• Potential U.S. tariffs on imported meat

As U.S. policymakers and trade organizations review food security and prioritize resilient domestic supply chains, we may see fewer imports and greater opportunities for U.S.-based production. That’s good news for ranchers with the capacity to go organic—and for consumers looking for American-grown, organic, and ethically raised meat.

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Next Steps for Ranchers

If you’re in Texas and run a cow-calf, grass-fed, or finished beef operation, now is the time to:

1. Explore organic certification of your pastures and practices.
2. Connect with a certified processor like Huse’s or All Hale Meats.
3. Develop local markets—co-ops, farm stores, health food outlets, and online direct-to-consumer sales.

This isn’t just about beef—it’s about building a more local, more ethical, and more profitable Texas-based food system.