Originally posted by wuapinmon
View Post
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Retail Beef Outlook
Collapse
X
-
I'm posting this on both boards, since some of our Utah friends have probably left for good. This will be a strange year for the beef market. We have super low inventories of live cattle, but they are killing at much heavier weights. Demand has actually held up in the face of higher prices, but there is a lot of uncertainty about exports, and supply disruptions.
Because of the uncertainty, I'm suggesting that now is a good time to stock up on beef for the summer grilling season. Slaughter weights have been unusually high for this time of year, and the result is a seasonally high supply. We're starting to see some features and discounts at the retail level, which should continue for the next couple of weeks. Beyond that, all meat prices may spike as a result of sequestration. Under the rules of sequestration, the USDA will have to furlough meat inspectors for 22 days, creating a bottleneck in the supply chain, and a subsequent shortage of all types of meat. Meat processing plants have to have a USDA inspector to grade all the meat that goes through the plant, and without them, there is no meat. Choice beef set an all-time high retail price in January before this small glut hit the markets. My advice is to take advantage of the short-term supply glut and stock up the freezers, particularly with the choice cuts like steaks and rib roasts, as I predict the shortage will have a greater impact on graded beef than it will on hamburger.
Another big supply surge is likely to hit in July, so I think prices could be lower this summer, but you'll want to have something in the freezer just in case we don't have enough inspectors to keep up with demand. If that happens, the high prices will only get higher, and they'll stay there through fall. The cattle industry contracted again this year, which means per capita supply is lower and prices for choice beef are likely to be higher. Hamburger and other select meat supplies will be helped by imports from Mexico and Australia, but their prices will still be sympathetic followers of choice cuts as people move to cheaper cuts and push those prices higher as well.sigpic
"Outlined against a blue, gray
October sky the Four Horsemen rode again"
Grantland Rice, 1924
Comment
-
Thanks, cowboy. It's back to Costco for us. We were there last Friday and they had a lot of prime cuts out, although not at particularly low prices. I was about to pass on a pallet of prime sirloin (a cut I've grown greater respect for of late), but then I asked myself the guiding question whenever meat is involved, "What Would cowboy Do?" Into the cart it went, and we've been enjoying some tasty beef. Now I've got to head back for more.
Comment
-
Originally posted by YOhio View PostWell done, cowboy. Thanks for posting.
Medium rare, cowboy. Thanks for posting."Seriously, is there a bigger high on the whole face of the earth than eating a salad?"--SeattleUte
"The only Ute to cause even half the nationwide hysteria of Jimmermania was Ted Bundy."--TripletDaddy
This is a tough, NYC broad, a doctor who deals with bleeding organs, dying people and testicles on a regular basis without crying."--oxcoug
"I'm not impressed (and I'm even into choreography . . .)"--Donuthole
"I too was fortunate to leave with my same balls."--byu71
Comment
-
How long is it advisable to keep beef in the freezer? I am thinking about snatching up a case of tri-tips (maybe 2), a case of steaks and a case of briskets. I want to make sure that I'll have enough time to consume it all before it goes bad.I'm your huckleberry.
"I love pulling the bone. Really though, what guy doesn't?" - CJF
Comment
-
Originally posted by FN Phat View PostHow long is it advisable to keep beef in the freezer? I am thinking about snatching up a case of tri-tips (maybe 2), a case of steaks and a case of briskets. I want to make sure that I'll have enough time to consume it all before it goes bad.
Comment
-
Originally posted by FN Phat View PostHow long is it advisable to keep beef in the freezer? I am thinking about snatching up a case of tri-tips (maybe 2), a case of steaks and a case of briskets. I want to make sure that I'll have enough time to consume it all before it goes bad."I think it was King Benjamin who said 'you sorry ass shitbags who have no skills that the market values also have an obligation to have the attitude that if one day you do in fact win the PowerBall Lottery that you will then impart of your substance to those without.'"
- Goatnapper'96
Comment
-
Originally posted by FN Phat View PostHow long is it advisable to keep beef in the freezer? I am thinking about snatching up a case of tri-tips (maybe 2), a case of steaks and a case of briskets. I want to make sure that I'll have enough time to consume it all before it goes bad."I can get a good look at a T-bone by sticking my head up a bull's a$$, but I'd rather take a butcher's word for it". - Tommy Callahan III
Comment
Comment