As consumers consider what to prepare for dinner, some are choosing to exclude beef from their meal plans.
Beef costs have increased by 15% when compared to the previous year, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
At Old South Barbeque located in Cobb County, owner Joy Llewallyn mentions that beef is featured on their menu and is tied to their heritage.
“We sell Black Angus, eye of the round beef because that’s what my mother always sold, and I don’t alter from what my mother sold,” she stated.
That is, until recently.
“The cost became too steep. We couldn’t afford to purchase it. It was making up most of our grocery expenses,” Llewallyn stated.
Channel 2 Action News has reported on the increase in costs, tracing the situation from the dining table to the agricultural fields over the past few months.
“Our growth has been rapid over the past few years, driven by rising beef and cattle prices, as the United States now has the smallest number of cattle in production since 1952,” said Brian Lance from Iron Will Cattle.
It’s not only the limited availability and high demand.
Cattle ranchers have noticed their expenses rising, including costs for feed and limited availability of land.
In recent times, the Trump administration has implemented measures to reduce costs.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the president instructed his advisors to seek methods to reduce costs.
And the president requesting the Department of Justice to examine meat processors.
“We don’t have control over the prices we receive for these animals. It’s primarily determined by the packer,” Lance said.
Economists predict that prices will eventually decrease.
It may take a few years to restore the population.
Llewallyn will be waiting at Old South BBQ.
“I desire to get it back. I want to have our complete menu. I despise not having it,” she stated.
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