Most of us ranchers don’t think about apps. In fact, many us probably have the same ones on our phones that were installed when we got it. There are a handful, and maybe more though, that have accessed the power of technology enough to jam out to Spotify while we are out irrigating, or my favorite, downloading great podcasts while spending hours on end in a bumpy tractor in the middle of nowhere with limited cell service.Consumers, our urban counterparts, have been gleaning this technology and making it work in everyday life to get more knowledge about anything and everything. We could learn a thing or two from our friends. Maybe we could have a hands-on training together. I could, for instance teach someone to start up our feed truck with a butter knife or suckle a new calf. You, my tech savvy friends could introduce me to new apps that might make life a little easier, or how to be more efficient by using a GPS app that tracks my irrigating patterns. Sounds fun! Who wants in on this?I read a great article in Western Farmer-Stockman Magazine (it’s a great publication, you should check it out) and it highlighted the shift in demand for information about food (meat in particular), where food comes from, how it was raised, and how consumers can get their millennial fingers on it. Just kidding. Kind of. Actually, our millennial friends (mid 20’s through late 30’s) have become the fastest growing group in terms of buying power at the store or online for food because they are raising families. So it is true.Let’s take a look at some that I found most user friendly and abundantly informative.

Meat Apps for foodies:

My Meat Up: Aptly named the Meat Guide for MillennialsWhat it is: An app that helps consumers discover different types of meat cuts and recipes on how to use them. These are pretty standard cuts that you would typically see in a fresh case of your local market and lots of easy to follow recipes. Nose To Tail:Well, it is EVERYTHING, from nose to tail.What it is: Every. Single. Part. Yes, every part of the cow is explained and covers things such as fat content, how it is cooked, what type of price it will cost, etc. This is some comprehensive business! Ask the Butcher:Just like it says! Ask away. Get recipes, ideas, and way more information than you’d ever need while making your dinner menu. Super fascinating.What it is: Holy heaven on earth for meat lovers everywhere. Not only are the graphics amazing, the recipes are really impressive. Simple to over the top splendor for the hard-core foodies out there. You know who you are.

For the Online Shopper In You:

Instacart: Browse, click, buy, deliver. Bam!What it is: This breakthrough company is giving big online retailers a real run for their money! Retailers like Whole Foods (hint, hint, they carry Desert Mountain Grass Fed Beef in several Northwest locations) are hopping on board with this click – buy – deliver, instant shopping gratification experience. Honestly, who wouldn’t love to use this?Although, if you love wandering through the aisles, hand selecting every item, you could come talk to one of our awesome ranch families this weekend in Salt Lake City at the Whole Foods (4 locations) and nibble on some tasty steak and ask as many questions as you’d like. To be honest, every good cowgirl (and cowboy) knows how to cook a good steak.What does the future look like? How about increased transparency between people like me, who grow the food, and people like you, who want to feel good about what they are buying, eating, and feeding to their families? I say YES! And so do the vast majority of shoppers. I am sure someone out there is building this. I sure hope so, because I want to be a part of it. If they aren’t then I guess I need to start knocking on doors of techy folks to make this happen, like yesterday.So, I am no tech wizard, but I am continually looking for ways to share our stories with you in more formats and utilize this whole technology business. Then I’ll be able to say, “there’s an app for that”!If you want to know more, you can start by following this blog, we will be highlighting lots of things, including our ranch member families and giving lots of feel good about what you eat stories. Do you have other ideas? Share them with us please. Really, we can handle all of the great advice you are willing to send our way, because we are here to meat (pun intended) our customers’ needs and wants, doing it in a such a way that we can all feel flipping fantastic at the end of the day.That’s all for this week folks and thanks for tuning in.-Mary Cerise