Not a mention of the blizzards in the Dakotas.

Via The State Column

Looking forward to the spring and summer barbecue seasons? You might have to pay a bit more to stock up on burgers and steaks this year. According to a recent Associated Press report, there is not currently enough supply to meet growing export demand – a fact that has led to the highest beef prices since 1987.

Growing export demand for beef is not the only problem. The United States is currently facing a bit of a crisis as far as its cattle herds are concerned, an issue brought on by rainfall shortage and stagnating pastures throughout the Southwest and Midwest regions.

Citing the USDA, the Los Angeles Times reports that the U.S.’s cattle population has dropped to 87.7 million, the lowest since 1951.

All factors conspired in February to push the average cost of fresh beef to $5.28 a pound. That price was up nearly 25 percent from the previous month and could continue to climb as beef demand grows during the summer grilling season.

In fact, the sticker shock from the higher prices has been enough to drive a wide-scale cutback on beef consumption. Interviewing consumers and restaurant managers in Lubbock, Texas, The AP found that many buyers were turning to other meat products to satisfy their beef cravings, while fast food restaurants were even trimming beef-based items from their menus and replacing them with cheaper options, such as turkey burgers.

Still, relief is not going to be easy to find, even in other meat products. Pork costs are also high right now, thanks to a recent virus that affected a large number of pigs. Plus, composite retail prices for chicken in February were the highest since October.