Posted on 08/19/2012 10:55:34 AM PDT by blam
How To Save Money On Meat As Corn Prices Soar
Andrea Woroch, AndreaWoroch.com
Aug. 19, 2012, 12:14 PM
A few weeks ago, the USDA warned about the impending increase in food prices as drought continues to diminish corn and soybean crops. More recently, however, the USDA advised corn crop yields are even less than previously estimated, making the future of grocery bills even more bleak.
Since 40 percent of US-grown corn is used for animal feed, beef, pork and poultry will see the most significant price increases. If you and your family depend on meat as a primary source of protein, consider the following eight strategies for reducing your grocery bill without sacrificing your taste buds.
1. Buy Lean
You may be tempted by the pricetag of 70 or 80-percent lean meats, but all of your savings will end up at the bottom of the grill. The fat comprising the remaining 20 to 30 percent of that package will render during cooking, making the lean-meat purchase a better deal in the long run. Plus, lean meat is the healthier choice -- bonus!
2. Avoid Pre-cut
Cubed meats and pre-made patties are convenient, but ultimately a waste of money. If you're guilty of purchasing these pre-made provisions, cease and desist to realize immediate savings. Additionally, grind your chuck at home or ask the butcher to do it for you. You'll get the same ground meat for much less, plus it seems fresher!
3. Buy in Bulk
If you consume a lot of meat, buying in bulk is a no-brainer way to keep costs down. Consider going in on a side of beef with a few other families to score healthier, high-quality meat for less. You'll need storage space, but you'll pay
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(Excerpt) Read more at businessinsider.com ...
The drought actually should have dropped the prices of beef. The cattle farmers have been slaughtering their herds because feed and hay are becoming short and expensive. The weakening dollar has much to do with rising prices as well.
AS for global warming............it is a bunch of bullbutter! Was just as dry in 1988,1977, and the worst in recent history was 1936. This drought really only amounts to three months of hot and dry weather. That is about it.
Just duck and cover by Cargill since their lobby is one of the things that brought us ethanol in the first place.
Same can be said for the reason we have the flood of high fructose corn syrup.... the likes of Cargill lobbied for higher cane sugar tariffs many years ago. That enabled the HFCS to enter the market in a big way with price protections.
My laugh of the day! I like your way of thinking! If only I could figure out how to connect those pesky phone callers with each other!
A concentrated corn ration can cause acidosis in cattle; that's why even for a steer, corn will make up less than 10% of the diet over its lifetime.
As far as I know, you can hunt all the feral hogs you want. The neighbor next to our farm has been shooting every one he sees. Some place near either Elgin or Granger, a rancher is asking hunters to come and shoot the hogs.
Thanks.
Which state do you reside? The 'drought' map is slow to catch up on literal numbers. Was the state of Missouri, on August 20, 1988 or 1977 over 25.+ inches below normal rainfall. I do not remember either year having weeks of blasting heat. So I do not think you know what you are talking about.
If you can manage it, get yourself a deer or two and a feral hog.
A feedlot steer fed a conventional feedlot diet will receive up to 85% corn over a 140 day feeding period. Assuming 20 lbs dry matter intake, that will be @ 17 lbs of corn daily. Yes, acidosis can (and does) often occur as calves are transitioned to higher NEg diets. The reason that occurs is because the ruminal population is not adequately ready for the large infusion of starch.
I said the comment was “stupid” because it was suggested that “cows” are poisoned with corn which is utter BS. If a person wishes to eat grass fed beef, more power to them. Just recognize that the flavor will be different and the product will be more costly.
Buy Lean?? Are you kidding me, yes, they are correct fat renders during cooking, but its also what makes meat so damned tasty. Having 20% more of something that tastes like cardboard is pointless to me.
Unless cookign a stew or something with the beef I would not recommend that at all. There is good reason that the marbled meats cost more per pound, they taste FAR FAR BETTER.
Too much rain, too fast and the topsoil will wash away, bring another set of problems.
True. However, the size of the cracks in the soil all around my yard could well absorb a 3 inch rain. I am wondering how far down the earthworms can go to find moisture. Some of my raised beds have contracted along the sides 3 + inches. There is not even enough moisture in the soil for a seed to germinate unless watered.
Actually this drought did not just begin 3 months ago. I had to water my strawberries in April. Last fall and winter were dryer than normal. And this past winter was the warmest I remember in my life time.
IF the scam artist that attempted to punish man for global warming had not been caught manipulating the data they could have made some 'serious' headway in their claims after this summer. I know droughts come and go, but, being this is an election year I also know that politicians use taxpayers dollars to buy votes.
It didn't occur to me that the other poster was a tree hugger who considered all corn to be poison.
Your point is well taken. The feedlot industry has been paid on carcass weight and it is reflected in the weights being harvested today.
It will be interesting to see what things look like in 9 months. Rumors of processing plants in KS moving to single shifts abound. There will just not be any cattle in the country to feed at the rate herd liquidations are going due to the drought. I am worried.
I am glad you saw the rationale behind my comment re: “stupid”. Believe me, I am tolerant of people’s opinions but I will call out BS when I see my industry being unfairly attacked.
Have a good day!
MFO
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