As beef prices rise, more are discovering Wagyu in the Ozarks

The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows beef prices continue to climb nationwide.

Ground chuck had the highest increase from June 2024 to July 2025 at a 15.9 percent increase.

When it comes to steaks, there are a lot of factors that determine the grade of the steak you are eating.

Marbling, maturity, and yield can determine if you are having a steak that is select, choice, or prime. There are several different types of grading when it comes to meat and the USDA.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the average price for a pound of uncooked beef steak in January 2020 was $7.65 per pound. In July 2025, it had climbed to $11.87 per pound.

Missouri is seeing more and more farmers start to work with and sell Wagyu beef. With a handful of Wagyu producers in the Ozarks, the global Wagyu market is expected to grow from just under $27 billion this year to nearly $43 billion in 2032.

Justin Baker is the owner of J.B. Kobe Farms. For a cow to become market-ready for him, it takes nearly double the time of an Angus, and with quality comes a higher price.

“Probably about double, if it is a quality pure-bred Wagyu that we sell,” said Baker. “You will see some Wagyu at Walmart and other places; that is a lower quality Wagyu, probably the 50 percent Wagyu genetics is what that is. But yeah, about double.”

When it comes to steaks, there are a lot of factors that determine the grade of the steak you are eating.

While many are familiar with prime rib, others say Wagyu is the best you can buy.