Drought is going to raise food prices page

[Shalimar]

ClimateWatch Magazine » Water Waning into Winter

I don't know if this will affect our type of food. The meat I buy eats locally raised hay in the winter, but I know they have to buy hay or other forage now and then. I'm going to the farmers market this morning and will ask.

So are grass fed prices going to rise along with wheat-related? And those of us who can't afford the grass fed, are you stocking up on freezer meat?

[bloodorchid]

the only ways i could see grass fed beef prices rising in a drought situation is if gas prices somehow rise & if the grazing fields didn't get enough rain and feed had to be supplemented

[canio6]

the only ways i could see grass fed beef prices rising in a drought situation is if gas prices somehow rise & if the grazing fields didn't get enough rain and feed had to be supplemented

Well, part of it is supply and demand. People will pay more for grass-fed beef. As such, it tends to be more expensive than feedlot beef. Given the drought, the government buying up a ton of cattle a few months back, and the ethenol mandate jacking up corn prices the price of commercial beef is expected to go up next year. I foresee grassfed going up as well to maintain the price difference between the two.

[bloodorchid]

Well that sucks

[PaleoMom]

Hay prices went up this year in my area, which is winter feed while the ground is frozen and covered in snow. However, my local grass-fed beef farmer did not raise prices - however at that particular farm they grow their own hay.

[Shalimar]

We did have a great hay harvest here. Prices on grass fed so far are stable and the Northeast is not officially in a drought, just a tad below average rainfall.

They say the price increases due to drought in the Midwest have not hit yet. And the winter wheat crop, which is very poor, is not harvested yet.

Yeah, what I am wary of is that high price difference being maintained. Wonder if it could reach a point ever where local grass fed is cheaper than trucked in feedlot beef. That would need very high fuel prices and low demand...probably not going to happen anytime soon.

However, in the meantime, I am looking for bargains for my freezer.