USA Drought

We heard that the corn crops were devastated in the U.S. due to the drought. We also heard that the ranchers were cutting back on the size of their cattle herds because of the drought. Because of the shortage of corn, it will be more expensive to feed the remaining cows and other animals. Ranchers are dumping their cows on the market because they will not be able to afford to feed them. That has caused a glut of beef to hit our markets with some great prices for the consumer.

So, what do you think is coming?

Because of all the events taking place we stopped by our friendly Farmers Co-op to pick up 50 lbs of yellow food grade dent corn and 50 lbs of white food grade dent corn ($13.50 & $15.25). We grind this into cornmeal. How much does cornmeal cost you at the store? I told the girl behind the counter that we wanted to buy before the prices went up. She said, Oh, we have had good rain so that doesn't effect us. In one sense she is right. The corn around here is 9 - 10 foot tall and amazingly green. Beautiful. The corn bought at the farmers market is full and super sweet. But, if the corn in the rest of the U.S. is devastated, what do you think will happen to our corn. It will be going to the rest of the country, for ethanol and for export. Once a shortage is created, prices go up. It's coming.

The other day, we noticed that Ingles had sirloin tip roast on sale for $2.28 lb. Guess what? Is this caused by a glut of beef? It doesn't matter, we bought about 25 roast over a two day period while they were on sale. We cut them up into cubes (kabobs), stuffed them into pint Ball jars and canned them. We also had some for dinner and you would not believe how tender they were. Sometimes we will grind it up into hamburger that is about 3 -5% fat, make patties for the freezer or a meatloaf mix, stuff that into pint jars and can it. This is our hedge against inflation.

I was in Ingles today, a day after the sale. Sirloin tip kabobs were selling for $7.50 lb. You do the math. When the beef shortage finally hits, how much do you think those same kabobs will be selling for?

Fortunately for me, they still had Boston Butt's with bone in on sale for $1.98 lb. We bought two the other day so I bought two more. My wife cooks it in a crock pot overnight and the next morning, you got it,  we pull it apart, stuff it into Ball jars and can it. This is the best barbecue pork you have ever eaten.

Unfortunately, people see the prices as a normal fluctuation. Prices go down and prices go up. No big deal.  But if you pay close attention, prices keep creeping up all the time. I would much rather be eating sirloin tip kabobs for $2.28 lb any day.

If you want a hedge against inflation, then watch for your sales. Basically, any meat under $3.00 is a good buy. You can buy and freeze it whole, cut it up or grind it up and can it.

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