On the livestream Monday night the question came up about the rising price of beef and I offered a reason as did someone else.

Today I got this in my email. It explains better than I can.

Texas Farm Bureau

Retail beef prices hit record highs - Texas Farm Bureau

By Shelby Shank Field Editor Retail beef prices are reaching record highs in the U.S., driven by the shrinking U.S. cattle inventory and continued strong consumer demand. According to the Consume...

Just like gas, trigger words can change prices.

"Drought" and "unrest in the middle east" send both prices soaring.

"volunteer grass" can make cows profitable but once we start throwing hay we are lucky to break even.

I can remember my Pops saying, "I really think it is cheaper at the grocery store". LOL

Scott

From the article....

the average American consumes 50 to 60 pounds of beef annually

That's it? 🤣

I am waaaay above average, lol.

That seems low for everyone but really low for a carnivore.

A pound a day on the lion diet would be 365lbs. If we did an even split between beef, chicken, pork and seafood it would be around 90lbs each.

Seldom if ever am I considered 'above average' but I think i finally got a good grade. LOL

Scott

Yeah they are talking about the general public for sure. We are probably less than half of one percent of the total population just in the U.S.

As I stated in the livestream they were confirming what I said about a shortage of cattle being produced. As more farm land and ranches are being sold off and developed the fewer cattle are being raised. The young folks don’t want to continue the family farm or ranch after the old folks die, it’s just too much work for the younger generations. So they sell the land, make their money and move on. It’s really driving up the price of cattle right now. That’s great when I sell but not so great when I buy.

Yep. I have a friend from work going thru the same thing. 150-160 acres for his son to inherit on their farm, he will inherit another chunk adjacent to that from his uncle and then about the same from his grandmother. They grow hay to sell and feed their cows.

At some point that farm will be solar panels and subdivisions. It is pretty much inevitable because his son has no interest in working the farm and the number of people willing to buy 400+ acres to farm/raise cows is close to zero. Most can't afford to buy it and the business plan does not suggest it will pay for itself.

Geezy is spot on as it is a life and lifestyle that is dwindling.

Scott

My husband and I are hoping to get some calves to feed out and maybe some heifers for breeding next year to make it more sustainable. Been checking around, everyone agrees prices are up. However, not sure they are going down anytime soon, so we figure this is the time with extra hay around to feed them. With the prices in the store, I don't think we will come out losing since we eat so much meat and the hay is almost no cost this year. Price per pound, hours, feed, and butcher will add up I'm sure.

The value comes in knowing where your meat comes from and sometimes that off sets a few extra dollars and a little more time here and there.

At times you may not be able to put a price on having/doing your own.

Scott