CHILTON, Wis. — As grilling season is in full force, consumers are facing a high price tag for beef.

Costs for ground beef, lean ground beef, steak and round roast are up from last year. The increases are anywhere from 57 cents to 75 cents, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What You Need To Know

  • Prices for ground beef, lean ground beef, steak and round roast are up from last year and the increases are anywhere from 57 cents to 75 cents, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

  • Jared Geiser is a fourth-generation beef cattle farmer at Riveredge Farms in Chilton

  • Geiser said beef prices are high because of inflation and demand and supply. He said there aren’t enough cow herds to feed that demand for beef

  • Kaitlyn Kesler with the Wisconsin Beef Council said consumers can save by buying beef in bulk batches, cooking your meals, having planned leftovers, cutting it down yourself, vacuum sealing it and putting it in the freezer

Beef is Jared Geiser’s main business. He’s a fourth-generation beef cattle farmer at Riveredge Farms in Chilton.

His farm has 125 cows and Geiser said business has been booming for his industry.

“It’s a really exciting time. You know, marketing is great. We’re seeing all-time record beef demand,” Geiser said.

While beef is consumed year-round, Geiser said Memorial Day to Labor Day is beef season, with holidays like July 4 and Father’s Day sandwiched in between. 

“It’s grilling season, right? Everybody’s really excited to be out grilling burgers, steaks, beef sausages, everything. It’s summertime,” Geiser said.

Geiser said beef prices are high because of the tug of war between demand and supply. He said there aren’t enough cow herds to feed that demand for beef.

“Nationwide, the U.S. cow herds are at its lowest level since about 1961. We’re seeing a really low supply of those animals across the U.S., and ultimately, it’s producers not only producing the product, but it’s consumers demanding,” Geiser said.

Geiser also said inflation is another reason for high beef prices. 

“We’re definitely seeing increased input costs. It does cost us more to produce a pound of beef today than it did just a few years ago,” Geiser said.

Kaitlyn Kesler, with the Wisconsin Beef Council, said beef demand is high because farmers are producing a better-quality product. 

“We see how the farmers are caring for their cattle, because they are striving to improve, and consumers enjoy the taste, the versatility, and just the family appeal of what beef has to offer,” Kesler said.

Kesler said she expects beef prices will simmer eventually and for those who can’t wait, she has some advice.

“Buying beef in bulk batches, cooking your meals, having planned leftovers, cutting it down yourself, vacuum sealing it and putting it in the freezer,” Kesler said.

Geiser said he hopes beef prices will stabilize. He said cattle farmers are beefing up their herds to help with costs.

“We’ve got producers across the country trying to retain more females, build that cow herd back up and really keep that supply rolling,” Geiser said.

Beef prices are expected to increase by 6.6% this year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, so it may be a wait for consumers

Related Stories