Drought could increase beef prices at store

TIPPECANOE COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI) - The drought brings not just hot temperatures and dry conditions, it also brings a risk to livestock and crops.

According to a Purdue Extension expert, Indiana crops are in the worst condition since 1988.  Bad news for crops means bad news for livestock, and in the end, it could mean bad news the next time you want to grill out.

"When you put heat and drier weather together, you kind of got a double whammy," said Ron Lemenager, a cattleman and Purdue's Beef Extension Specialist.

Lemenager considers this summer one big whammy.  Lemenager said the drought has him concerned for this year's crops which help feed his cattle if other forages like grass and hay that can't make it through the dry conditions.

"We're probably not going to get an ear production," Lemenager said.  "From the crop producer's perspective, that's a problem because we're probably not going to get grain."

With less grain, the price of feed goes up.

Lemenager said, at least for the short term, owners can send cattle to the slaughterhouse giving a temporary increase to the beef supply so prices at the grocery would hold steady or even fall.  But, there are also long-term effects.

"If we get rid of the cows that means then that there's going to be fewer calves in 2013, 2014 and so supplies are going to be short and beef prices are probably going to go up," Lemenager said.

Cattlewoman Cindy Jackson said she's not only concerned for the increased price of feed, but also how the heat's affecting breeding season.

"Cows can just not conceive in the heat," Jackson said.  "So if you're in a commercial situation particularly, and your cows aren't breeding, there's no reason to feed them through the winter, so they get shipped."

It's not just the beef industry hurting in the drought.  Poultry and swine producers also depend on corn and soy beans to feed their animals.

Purdue's Agriculture department has started a website to monitor the drought.  Lemenager said people can see how crops, animals, and other foods like fruits and vegetable are fairing in the dry conditions.  Click here to give it a look .