U.S. Beef Prices Hit $6.90 Ground Beef Record as 75-Year Herd Low Meets Strong Demand
Updated
Updated · Dakota News Now · May 24
U.S. Beef Prices Hit $6.90 Ground Beef Record as 75-Year Herd Low Meets Strong Demand
5 articles · Updated · Dakota News Now · May 24
$6.90-per-pound ground beef and $14.73 sirloin are pushing Memorial Day cookout costs to record highs, with Midwest ranchers warning consumers are shifting to cheaper cuts.
The price surge reflects drought-driven herd reductions, early livestock selloffs and the smallest U.S. cattle herd in 75 years, even as beef demand stays unusually strong.
Producers also say meatpackers and other middle companies are shaping both what farmers are paid and what shoppers are charged, adding pressure across the supply chain.
Ranchers expect recovery to be slow: retaining more females could rebuild herds, but calves from those animals would take about two years to reach market.
Since the cattle herd will take years to rebuild, is the era of affordable American beef now over?
As the U.S. imports more beef to lower costs, could this solution ultimately cripple American ranchers?
With ranchers, packers, and retailers all pointing fingers, who is truly profiting from record-high beef prices?