[North Dakota rancher Stephanie Hatzenbuhler driving and opening the gate]
[Stephanie Hatzenbuhler’s cattles]
Jack Dura (reporting): “The price for beef is hitting all-time highs across the country, making steaks and burgers more expensive for Americans. But could increasing the number of cattle help bring down prices? It’s complicated. Some ranchers are reluctant to do so. And to some, beef is finally seeing a price correction.”
[Cows and Hatzenbuhler at the ranch]
Stephanie Hatzenbuhler (interview): “Beef prices are not high. They’re catching up to where they should be compared to everything else.”
[Hatzenbuhler and calf]
[Animals]
Jack Dura (reporting): “In fact, while there are about 46 million fewer cattle in the United States now compared to the 1970s, ranchers are producing more meat – about 26 billion pounds of it expected this year.”
[Packaged meat at a grocery store]
Jack Dura (reporting): “Cattle are now bigger. Meat production is more efficient. But ranchers say the cost of raising cattle is getting more expensive too.”
[Cows]
Stephanie Hatzenbuhler (interview): “When I look at the expenses—what a new tractor costs, a baler, land, buildings, hay—everything you need to run a cattle business, we’re just getting to the point where you might be able to sustain yourself.”
[Cattle rancher Mike Williams on his ranch]
[Cows in the pasture]
Mike Williams (interview): “I think it’s important to understand that meat is probably one of the healthiest—beef is particularly—is one of the healthiest foods a person can eat. And I think it’s worth whatever it’s costing. A lot goes into getting that beef from out here to the plate.”
[Williams driving]
Jack Dura (reporting): “Ranchers often blame the concentrated meat processing systems — primarily driven by four companies — for high beef prices. Industry representatives say that’s only partially the reason for high prices.”
[Exterior of a meat-packing plant]
Jack Dura (reporting): “A trade group of meat processors says packers don’t set prices for consumers, retailers and food service companies do.”
[Cows in a field]
Jack Dura (reporting): “Even if a rancher wanted to expand their herds, drought conditions have limited grazing in much of the American West. Trucking in feed costs extra money. And it takes years to grow a herd. It’s all adding up for beef prices to continue to be the same.”
[Exterior of a burger restaurant]
Mike Williams (interview): “A lot of times, markets can be a little bit tight. And so making ends meet can be a little bit of a challenge. But right now it’s pretty good across the board for ranchers.”
[Cow]
This script was provided by The Associated Press.