Beef Costs More And Will Continue to Rise In Utah

Beef prices have risen with everything else this year. A brisket will run you from $4.99 to $6.99 a pound. That can total up to $75 or more for a good sized one. All the other cuts of meat have risen as well. If you were hoping the prices would come down or at least stay the same, don’t hold your breath. 

Because of the harsh winter and the drought conditions before that, it has been hard on cattle in the state. Ranchers have lost some of their livestock to these conditions. According to the Farm Bureau consumers can expect to pay more for beef in the coming year. 

Cattle prices have come a long way in the first half of 2023. In fact, the weighted average market price for a steer this July is 27% higher than it was in July 2022. Drought and high input costs have driven many producers to market animals that would have been held back to grow their herds, and the resulting tighter cattle supplies are pushing retail beef prices to new highs 

I talked to Milton Wheatley who transports cattle throughout the state. He said he hasn’t noticed too much of a decrease but noted the price of oil will also affect prices. 

“It’s really a combination of things,” said Wheatley. “Having less production and higher transport costs, it keeps driving market prices up.” 

It makes me think of the cows on the billboards for Chic-Fil-A holding signs that say “Eat Mor Chikin”. They may not be able to spell, but they might have the right idea. I may have to include more birds in my barbecue.