Why is beef so expensive?

What’s been the deal with beef? Why is it so expensive and will prices go down?

  There are multiple things working against herd expansion of cattle in America. Highest on the list are the ranchers willing to do it. During the persistent drought we have been experiencing, many ranchers sold their herd with no intention to restock. The input prices for most have become astronomical including the purchase of the cattle. This makes it almost impossible to buy back in once the animals are sold off.

  We sell direct to consumer so our prices are not dictated by the big meat packers. We take our beef to small USDA processors that can handle 20-30 head a day compared to the packers that can do 100’s if not a 1000 or more a day. In 2020, we could take a beef to the processor for half of what it costs today. We were shocked when we looked at an invoice from 2020 and realized it was a 100% increase in price.

  Cattleman project that inventory will not recover until at least 2028. Herd expansion(when heifers are held back for breeding) hasn’t even started yet, and it’s about a 2 year turn around from there.

  But will prices go down, the likelihood of that is low as input costs will probably never return to pre 2018 price points.  

  If beef is on the menu, know prices will likely continue to rise. This is just to make you aware of the why’s behind it. Be aware so you are not taken by surprise.

   We are thankful you choose us to raise the food for your table.