US Beef Herd at All Time Low – Cattle supply is at an all-time low in the U.S. after nearly three years of drought, which led to more farmers killing off their herds earlier than planned. U.S. beef output will hit a 20-year low…

High prices are causing concerns in the industry that demand will be affected – and that lower consumption will mean farmers switch to other products.

“The main challenge for the industry is: Where does the beef come from?” Albert Vernooij, a meat industry analyst, told CNBC.

Sometimes, it’s not beef at all. Last year’s horsemeat scandal in the U.K., where some producers substituted beef for horse in cheaper beef products, illustrated the negative effects of consumer demand for less expensive beef

http://www.nbcnews.com/business/beef-crossroads-prices-rise-supply-dwindles-2D11939844