Myth: The price of beef has risen so much it is now unaffordable to my family.
The Facts: There are a variety of beef options to fit any budget. Food prices have increased across the board; beef is not alone, but when you compare current beef prices at retail to 2012 prices, the increase amounts to just about $0.08 more per pound.
At approximately $1 per serving, beef provides 10 essential nutrients your body needs, like zinc, iron, protein and B vitamins. For about 150 calories, a 3-oz serving of lean beef provides about the same amount of protein as three servings (1½ cups) of cooked black beans with 341 calories.
There are many factors that impact the price of beef, including supply (the U.S. cattle herd is the smallest it has been since the 1950s) and demand (U.S. beef exports are at an all-time high). Another contributing factor is the rise in the price of grains, like corn, fed to cattle. In the past 10 years, the price of corn has more than doubled* in part due to widespread drought in corn-growing regions. Drought has also impacted the availability of grass pasture and rangeland for grazing cattle.
To read the rest of the story, please go to: Facts About Beef / The Beef Checkoff