The variety of cattle in America has plummeted to its lowest point in a long time, sparking concerns amongst ranchers about the fate of the U.S. beef industry.
“It is a bad situation for America’s cattle farmers and America because we’re producing 1 billion kilos less beef than we were in this country, only a yr ago,” John Boyd, Jr., president of the National Black Farmers Association, said Thursday on “Fox & Friends First.”
“We’re not investing in America’s beef and cattle farmers, and Biden policies are hurting America’s cattlemen, such as myself. They needs to be invested in America’s cattle farmers and ensuring that we now have the tools needed to stay on the farm.”
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), nationwide beef cattle inventory dropped to 28.2 million this yr — the lowest level since the Nineteen Seventies and down 2% from a yr ago. Total U.S. cattle and calf inventory dropped to its lowest level since 1951.
Agricultural economists say persistent drought over the last three years, together with high input costs and inflation are putting pressure on each consumers and farmers.
“Last night I used to be at the cattle market, in my local township around here in Blackstone, Virginia. A superb market, and I saw that a few of the stalls were empty and, and through this time period, we see, the cattle markets just stuffed with livestock. Now we see some empty stalls in there, and it’s because we’re not producing the beef that we used to,” Boyd said.
![Various cuts of beef and pork in plastic wrap on a shelf at a discount market in Arlington, VA.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/02/AP534256116747.jpg?w=1024)
“I’ve been farming 41 years and producing good, healthy beef for America, and I’m telling you, it is a time when we must always be investing in America’s cattle, and we’re not doing it.”
Economists say demand for beef has remained strong since the COVID-19 pandemic. During lockdowns, people began grilling more.
Beef sold for a median $5 per pound last yr, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Experts predict that prices will climb over the next few years.
“Americans are going to pay the price at their local grocery stores,” Boyd said.
“We already are seeing such a steep, hike and beef in this country. And it’s because we’re not supporting these cattlemen such as myself… the Biden administration, isn’t being attentive [to] this national crisis. It is a national crisis for America’s cattlemen, and this administration has turned a blind and a deaf ear to something that needs immediate attention.”
FOX Business’ Kennedy Hayes contributed to this report.