What in the Sweet Baby Jesus is going on? Meat prices.

[Elf@shore]

Processing fees keep going up as well, unless you are equipped to do your own butchering. The last one I had processed was $200.00 for my half ......... up $75.00 from the prior one even though the rail weight was less on the last one.

Food Costs :
Its the overall operating Production Costs that most have no clue ?
YUP!? Its out of hand , Simple ?
If you can not afford it? Look for another means to feed Yur family?
I only buy meat when its reduced?, Or I do not buy it !?
Those that have the $?, GOD BLESS YOU!
Pay to play or do not play ?
IMO: Its going to be a growing pain, I see a very tight holiday season with the Meats?
Those will buy it no matter how much $?
But I do not think the average Joe can ?
I predict that there will be a slow down in Meat Buying and might actually have a Surplus in Jan, after the holidays ?
Even the cheaper cuts are already Too high now !
Possibly eating cheaper cuts, ?
Let me know if Im Wrong , in 26 ? LOL!!?

 

[pc farmer]

Food Costs :
Its the overall operating Production Costs that most have no clue ?
YUP!? Its out of hand , Simple ?
If you can not afford it? Look for another means to feed Yur family?
I only buy meat when its reduced?, Or I do not buy it !?
Those that have the $?, GOD BLESS YOU!
Pay to play or do not play ?
IMO: Its going to be a growing pain, I see a very tight holiday season with the Meats?
Those will buy it no matter how much $?
But I do not think the average Joe can ?
I predict that there will be a slow down in Meat Buying and might actually have a Surplus in Jan, after the holidays ?
Even the cheaper cuts are already Too high now !
Possibly eating cheaper cuts, ?
Let me know if Im Wrong , in 26 ? LOL!!?

I don't know about that people won't buy it. People have been. I hope your right about having a surplus come January.

 

[Elf@shore]

I don't know about that people won't buy it. People have been. I hope your right about having a surplus come January.

Holiday Meats :
Folks CAN NOT BUY IT!, Too much $!
Some may due to the holidays and say F#@$%^&*! anyway?

 

[DougE]

All I can say is keep it civil please. We are all paying these prices.

Ryan

I apologize if I have said anything uncivil in this thread, I don't think I have, though.

 

[pc farmer]

Holiday Meats :
Folks CAN NOT BUY IT!, Too much $!
Some may due to the holidays and say F#@$%^&*! anyway

It's supply and demand. The supply is low and demand is the same as it has been . You right if people stop buying the demand will go down as well as price

 

[Elf@shore]

It's supply and demand. The supply is low and demand is the same as it has been . You right if people stop buying the demand will go down as well as price

Meat Pricing :
IMO: The supply is there what ever it is ?
But the Costs are still there to produce ! Its not going away !
Costs will increase and only those that can afford it or do not really care ? W ill Buy.
Down here @ the NJ shore, A BAD Summer Season is really detrimental to the local economy.
Covid was a Prime EX, The supply was in place, no demand.
I know of many businesses, that folded and did not even get to recover ?

 

[Fueling Around]

I cannot figure out the point you are trying to make @elfshore
As DougE pointed out the regular rancher is at the mercy of the prices that on the hoof beef brings at the auction yard. Been many years since I was involved in the auction, but most of the beef went to local area slaughter houses that sold primals directly to the local grocery stores or finish cuts to local restaurants. Since that time 90% of the local slaughter houses closed down as they were finding it less work and more profitable to purchase a hanging half from the regional slaughter. The few local slaughter houses that exist have had to to up their prices to stay in the game.
Even the processing of a deer has more than doubled in the past 15 years

Ryan Brokenhandle where do your hogs go for slaughter?

 

[Brokenhandle]

I cannot figure out the point you are trying to make @elfshore
As DougE pointed out the regular rancher is at the mercy of the prices that on the hoof beef brings at the auction yard. Been many years since I was involved in the auction, but most of the beef went to local area slaughter houses that sold primals directly to the local grocery stores or finish cuts to local restaurants. Since that time 90% of the local slaughter houses closed down as they were finding it less work and more profitable to purchase a hanging half from the regional slaughter. The few local slaughter houses that exist have had to to up their prices to stay in the game.
Even the processing of a deer has more than doubled in the past 15 years

Ryan Brokenhandle where do your hogs go for slaughter?

Nebraska. Under 290 lbs to a plant in Freemont, above that they go to Madison.

Ryan

 

[Fat Old Guy]

All I know is I want my holiday cannibal sandwiches again this season and I don't want to spend $20 for just the meat.

I've been under paid for far too long to have steak $$$$ so I haven't really paid that much attention. But I have noticed the increases in pork and chicken.

Wish I could get to hunt to supplement.

 

[Chasdev]

It comes down to supply and demand.
Supply is at historic lows now but with a massive decrease in demand something has to give.
If I were king I would mandate the producers get the profits.
Never did like a middleman.

 

[Torch&Tone]

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/tyson-foods-pay-85-million-largest-pork-price-fixing-settlement-2025-10-01/

Colluding on prices is an example of market distortion. Those who are responsible, they love it when folks shrug off high prices as just "supply and demand" (a concept which only applies to an idealized, free market), because it oversimplifies the situation and obscures their exploitation.

 

[Elf@shore]

Nebraska. Under 290 lbs to a plant in Freemont, above that they go to Madison.

Ryan

Meat Costs:
The point I am trying to make , 2 :
1: Operating costs to raise Cattle will continue to rise to make it out of reach for most folks !
Except for the Rich, that really do not seem care.
2: Demand will erode, actually has already started, Again meat costs is out of reach for most folks?
I just came home from my local Food Market:
Meat prices are starting to rise already. EX: Chuck roast $10+ LB ! Pork Roasts $3+/lb. ?
I can go later during the evening and the meat will be reduced, still not bought, gets to become ground meat, then gets reduced again?
FINAL POINT: Related to retail, Folks can not afford it? Which will create a huge slow down in purchasing meat, Regardless of who is responsible for the costs?
I have over 30 + yrs Grocery Sales/Chain experience and now see something I have never seen before?
I am in fine tune to see trends as per the Demographics.
Folks walk up to the meat case and look in unbelief ?
They take a few minutes to try to digest the huge prices jump!
Scramble the meat case to find something to they can afford?
Get this ! I saw a half dozen, probably more walk away and buy NOTHING!, not even a cheaper cut !? They were not window shopping ,We all need to eat !
I really feel sorry for those that really can not afford to feed their family !?

 

[JckDanls 07]

I really feel sorry for those that really can not afford to feed their family !?

I as well... I mean... How in dahell does a younger couple with a few/three kids only making minimum wage or a little more do it... With the price of food... housing... child care... medical... I have no clue how in the hell they are doing it...

 

[1MoreFord]

View attachment 725097

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/tyson-foods-pay-85-million-largest-pork-price-fixing-settlement-2025-10-01/

View attachment 725098

Colluding on prices is an example of market distortion. Those who are responsible, they love it when folks shrug off high prices as just "supply and demand" (a concept which only applies to an idealized, free market), because it oversimplifies the situation and obscures their exploitation.

Tyson, a major player in beef, chicken, and pork. If they collude in one market they might in others, especially when there are so few major players.

 

[SmokinEdge]

This thread is getting funny.

The other day I was at a local major grocery chain, one of the items I bought was a bag of jalapeño cheddar Crunchy Cheetos. The bag, not very big btw, was almost 8 bucks. I thought at the time that seemed high for what it was. Then a few days later I was at another major grocery chain and bought another bag of the same Cheetos, (they are smallish bags) at that store the same bag was a bit over 4 bucks.

One example of some different item and nobody complaining or accusing of gouging. It was about 3.50 a bag difference for the same item. Both from major grocery chain stores.

 

[DougE]

I got these chops on sale today. When not on sale the price would be almost double. It's just crazy.

 

[mike243]

All I know is we better get to liking soybeans, seems to be a large stockpile at the moment, can critters be raised on soybeans ? feed might be cheap at some point.

 

[gmc2003]

I as well... I mean... How in dahell does a younger couple with a few/three kids only making minimum wage or a little more do it... With the price of food... housing... child care... medical... I have no clue how in the hell they are doing it...

I'd be more inclined to ask - why a younger couple only making minimum wage decided to have three kids. Folks don't seem to realize that minimum wage was never meant to support a family. Go to college and earn a useful degree, or learn a trade. Working at the house of Ronald was never meant to be a life long career.

Chris

 

[SmokinEdge]

Currently I’m buying whole chicken, pork butts and any other sub primal I see priced right. I grind my own meat from that, I have a knife and I cut my own steaks. Just remember, the more times a butcher touches any meat the more expensive the meat. Shoulders and clods are good to watch for. Always a deal if you look but you have to be willing to do some of the work and buy more than you need today.

 

[DougE]

All I know is we better get to liking soybeans, seems to be a large stockpile at the moment, can critters be raised on soybeans ? feed might be cheap at some point.

Some farmers around here raise soybeans as fodder for their cattle.