010139 Beef Prices Likely to Go Up

First it was gas prices, then heating bills -- now, consumers could soon pay more at the supermarket. That's because there is a good chance that beef prices will go up.

In Saturday night's Prosperity, NewsChannel5's Kathy Davis reports why there may be a price increase and how consumers can best avoid it.

It appears that cattle aren't fat this winter, and that's making consumers unhappy.

"If it keeps going up, what do you think? I won't be eating steaks," one consumer said.

Since September, the price of cattle has gone up 10 cents a pound. It's now 78 cents a pound on the mercantile exchange. The record high is 86 cents -- just eight cents difference.

What is the reason for the increase? In cold, wet weather, cows eat more and move less, taking them longer to beef up for market.

"I don't know; they tell me (there are) too many stores -- same thing (with) gas," shopper Jean Clemens said.

At first, it may seem like a few pennies, but after awhile, it's a nickel, then $1, then $5 -- finally, after a few months of grocery shopping, it's $20, $40, $60 -- all because of a couple of pennies on a pound of meat, WEWS reports.

"You (have to) live, so what can you do? You (have to) buy it," another shopper said.

But there are ways to save money on meat, WEWS reports.

From low-end to high, there is ground meat, hamburger, ground chuck, ground round and most expensive, ground sirloin.

Anything boneless is a little higher. High-end steak is a filet, followed by strip, porterhouse and rib.

Think about cooking roasts -- you can use less meat per person and more vegetables.

"I'd look at sales prices, and look at family packs for the values," Jimmy Waite, manager of Dave's supermarket, said. "It's better if you prepare your own meal -- you'll save a lot more money."

Seal Bell knows how to save a buck. She picked up a few tips during the depression -- cheap meat and cheap ingredients.

"I'm trying to find me some oxtail -- cook (them) in water and they're good like that," Bell said.

But oxtail soup is not going down easy with some baby boomers.

"For a family striving to try (to) make it in the city and life, it's hard," shopper Robin Brown said.

Another thing you can do is take advantage of freezing. Cook large amounts with a family pack and then freeze meals. Also, concentrate more on cheaper side dishes.

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