Simply put, basic economics of decreased supply and increasing demand are causing an increase in beef prices.
Droughts in Texas and Oklahoma last year and Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming and Colorado this year have led to smaller cattle herds and thus less beef coming to market, said Ron Rowan, marketing director for the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association.
“What we’re doing is reducing the number of cows that can have calves,” Rowan said. “We’re at the lowest cow numbers since the 1950s. What the implication of that is, fewer calves, less beef on supermarket shelves over the next couple of years.”
Poe Valley rancher Jason Chapman said herd numbers are at 1968 levels in the U.S.
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