MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Steak still signals quality and celebration, but Cargill’s first “State of Steak – Foodservice Edition” says restaurants win loyalty by nailing the basics: doneness, tenderness, presentation, and clear menu cues.
The report finds that one in four steak customers left unhappy with their last restaurant steak—most often due to inconsistent cooking or cuts—at a time when past experiences are the top driver of where guests dine.
Guests gravitate to the “Big Four” cuts—ribeye, sirloin, filet, New York strip—and increasingly expect visible grading, flexible portion sizes, and straightforward language that makes ordering easy and exciting.
Cargill urges operators to tighten both back- and front-of-house execution: train servers to guide customers on cut and doneness choices, empower kitchens to meet specifications consistently, highlight quality signals (e.g., USDA grade, “no artificial ingredients”), and pair steaks with promotions that tap into celebration and comfort.
Farm-Level Takeaway: Reliable, clearly graded middle meats still anchor demand; programs that deliver consistent eating quality and simple, confidence-building menus capture more repeat visits—and more value—back through the beef chain.
Falling commodity prices and rising costs continue to squeeze farm margins. Kip Jacobs with The Mosaic Company addresses fertilizer market pressures, nutrient use efficiency, and strategies growers can consider to protect their fertilizer investment this season.
March 03, 2026 05:00 AM
·
Weather Swings Shape Early Season Farm Conditions Nationwide
March 02, 2026 02:54 PM
·
Dry conditions may tighten hay supplies before summer growth. John Mays of Central Life Sciences joined us to discuss the risks of extended grain storage, how quality can be affected over time, and what growers can do to protect their grain while waiting for market opportunities.
March 02, 2026 02:21 PM
·
Crop value concentration keeps farm income tied closely to commodity price cycles.
March 02, 2026 01:23 PM
·
