Country Natural Beef Adopts RaiseWell Certified Welfare Standard

Nation’s largest rancher-owned beef co-op adopts new animal welfare verification program, streamlining and strengthening audit rigor while positioning the cooperative for future growth

Sisters, Ore. – Country Natural Beef, the nation’s largest rancher-owned beef cooperative, will adopt a new animal welfare verification standard across its product portfolio. Beginning in October, all Country Natural Beef^® and Oregon Country Beef^TM products will be RaiseWell Certified for animal welfare. The shift is the latest step in the co-op’s longstanding commitment to stringent animal welfare standards.

RaiseWell Certified is a comprehensive third-party animal welfare verification program by Where Food Comes From, Inc. Designed to meet or exceed current animal welfare standards, the RaiseWell Certified standard also streamlines the annual audit process, making it an attractive option for ranchers who want to align with a growing consumer base seeking greater transparency in the meat they buy. Through a single annual audit, RaiseWell provides clearly defined, third-party verified animal care and handling claims, traceability to the farm of origin, and on-pack seals that align with USDA FSIS requirements. This approach supports operational efficiency for ranchers while responding to growing demand from retailers and consumers for transparent, verifiable claims.

“Our members are committed to continuous improvement while upholding the high standards the cooperative is known for,” said C. Tylor Braden, CEO of Country Natural Beef. “This approach, verified by Where Food Comes From, allows us to continue delivering all-natural, premium beef while supporting our ranchers and meeting evolving retail expectations. We believe ranchers, shoppers and retailers alike will embrace this evolution.”

Through a single annual audit, Where Food Comes From substantiates key Country Natural Beef and Oregon Country Beef claims and product attributes, including:

• Verified Natural Beef (No Antibiotics. No Added Hormones. No animal by-products in feed.)
• 100% Vegetarian Fed
• Non-GMO
• Pasture Raised
• Fully traceable to ranch of origin

“RaiseWell is already resonating with both producers and buyers who are looking for credible, transparent assurances around animal care and natural practices,” says Leann Saunders, President & COO of Where Food Comes From. “Seeing early demand for RaiseWell cattle reinforces that the market is ready for this level of transparency, and we’re proud that Country Natural Beef was first to bring RaiseWell to market.”

While Country Natural Beef has a longstanding commitment to stringent animal welfare, consumers are increasingly thoughtful about their food purchases. According to the 2026 Power of Meat report, two-thirds of consumers indicated they want to know where their food comes from. Animal handling and raising considerations influenced 40% of shoppers surveyed.

Where Food Comes From is a leading resource for independent, third-party verification of food production practices in North America. Learn more at wherefoodcomesfrom.com.

For more information about Country Natural Beef, visit CountryNaturalBeef.com.

About Country Natural Beef 

Country Natural Beef is a rancher-owned cooperative founded in the rugged landscapes of the American West by ranching families dedicated to producing premium beef with integrity. Country Natural Beef is committed to doing the right thing—for people, animals, and planet—through strict animal welfare standards and innovative ranching practices. Our beef, available under the Country Natural Beef® and Oregon Country Beef™ brands, reflects the commitment of nearly 100 ranching families who take pride in providing quality beef for consumers who care about where their food comes from. All profits are returned to our ranchers, preserving multi-generational family ranches and rural communities. Through partnerships with leading retailers and foodservice providers, Country Natural Beef connects the values of family-based agriculture with customers nationwide, delivering beef that’s both delicious and as authentic as the ranchers behind it. To learn more, visit CountryNaturalBeef.com. 

About Where Food Comes From, Inc.

Where Food Comes From, Inc. is America’s trusted resource for third-party verification of food production practices. Through proprietary technology and patented business processes, the Company estimates that it supports more than 17,500 farmers, ranchers, vineyards, wineries, processors, retailers, distributors, trade associations, consumer brands, and restaurants with a wide variety of value-added services. Where Food Comes From solutions are used to verify food claims, optimize production practices, and enable food supply chains with analytics and data driven insights. In addition, the Company’s Where Food Comes From® retail and restaurant labeling program uses web-based customer education tools to connect consumers to the sources of the food they purchase, increasing meaningful consumer engagement for our clients.