Rooted in the heart of Northeast Iowa, Upper Iowa Beef was founded in 2017 with a clear purpose: bring high-quality beef production closer to home while strengthening the connection between farmers, processors, and the families we serve. From the beginning, we have been owned and operated by individuals deeply engaged in agriculture and who understand the responsibility, stewardship, and care that define the cattle industry.
What began as a modest regional operation has grown through steady investment and trusted partnerships across the Upper Midwest. When we opened, our team of 35 employees processed 25 head per day for a single customer. Today, we are supported by more than 300 employees, partner with hundreds of cattle suppliers, serve more than 70 customers, and process over 500 head per day. This growth reflects not only increased capacity, but the strength of the relationships we have built with farmers, customers, and communities along the way.
As we have grown, our reach has expanded beyond domestic markets to include select international partners, allowing us to share regionally sourced beef more broadly while maintaining our commitment to transparency, responsible production, and dependable quality. Each step forward has been guided by a belief that growth should strengthen the people and partnerships at the heart of our work.
Throughout our history, our mission has remained constant: honor the farmers who raise the cattle, provide clarity to families who bring beef to their tables, and advance food production in a way that is sustainable, practical, and rooted in community. By combining modern innovation with agricultural tradition, we continue to build on our foundation, delivering premium beef with consistency, care, and integrity from the farm through final fabrication.
