Beef prices on the rise and so is the demand: Fresno County experts weigh in

FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – If your burger night is burning a hole in your wallet, you’re not alone. Beef prices nationwide are some of the highest on record, and so is the demand. 

“It’s just a lot of challenges in the cattle business,” said John Rodgers, co-founder of Western Video Market.

In the US, there are more than 86.7 million cattle and calves. And while that might seem like a lot, it’s the lowest since the 1950s.

Many ranchers blame the drought for shrinking cattle herds across the US.

“The droughts really through the Midwest. Texas, particularly, eliminated a lot of cows. And so now that’s finally caught up with us,” Rodgers said.

Inflation also played a role, making it too expensive not only to keep the cattle alive but also to keep them healthy.

“From hay to medicine to vet bills to everything,” explained Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau. This forced a lot of ranchers to sell their herds, rather than replenish them. 

In stores, a pound of ground beef has risen nearly 12% since last year. And the average price for uncooked steaks rose by 8% per pound. 

“What’s amazing right now is even with some of the increased cost to consumers when it comes to American beef, they’re not necessarily jumping to substitutes,” Jacobsen noted. 

They say it’s ‘consumer confidence’, buyers know that what they’re getting is high quality.

“We’re producing a lot better product today than we were in 1970-something,” Rodgers added. 

While ranchers are working to catch up to the demand, Jacobsen says we’re not completely in the clear.

“There’s the massive issue going on south of the border with the new world screw worm.” 

The world screw worm is a parasitic fly that lays eggs in the open wounds of the cattle, causing disease and death. The US has stopped beef imports from Mexico until it can get it under control.

But Jacobsen says it could make prices worse, “It’s going to affect somewhat the trade there.”

Now, ranches are rebuilding their herds, but it won’t happen overnight. Those whom YourCentralValley.com spoke to say it’ll take a few years.