>>518696134 (OP)
>>518696202
>t. cattleman from a 160yr family owned ranch in NW Texas
>also, posted in the same exact thread 7 hours ago
Reason beef is expensive is because ranchers have had the need to sell off destocks during what is normally a drought ridden summer. Usually, when summer comes it kills forage, and to keep from investing in feedlots ranchers sell off their cattle. This is a typical, year to year management practice that also keeps beef market predictable and stable.
Problem is (sort of) is we had the comfiest summer in my lifetime. The fields literally never even turned brown this year. Forage was entirely sustainable all summer. Seriously, never in my life did I expect 75 and rainy weather on the 4th of fucking July near Abilene. It was the easiest summer I can remember.
All ranches in the area did not cull destocks cattle this year, because more hanging weight = more money. Because no one had to sell, everyone is just letting them finish more (ie, get fat). Sell barns operated bi to tri weekly as a result. No cattle sold = no beef in supply = higher costs at market.
Good news is once a real drought returns everyone is going to send a higher proportion to market, and they'll be fat as hell. Beef should have a major drop... If we don't get fucked this winter.