Hard time parting with $$$ for brisket.

[Pyle's BBQ]

Originally Posted by Cayman1

Thank the elected officials in DC for a lot of this problem, they are the ones that passed the requirement that 30% or so of all corn production must go to produce ethanol. Never mind about food for people or livestock. Di**heads!

I think it is a location thing though, I just paid $3.39 for CAB packers.

Originally Posted by landarc

Or you could thank the corn lobbyists who pushed for laws making it illegal to sell ethanol that is not corn sourced.

Truth is, there is low cost beef out there, but, you have to want the right cut in the right location. Right now, tri-tip could not be easier to find out here. Cheap and plentiful, and some really good looking ones. No kidding though, many of the higher end butcher shops are selling brisket and even packers, if you ask. And that is really different from the past in CA.

You both are wrong about ethanol. There is a by-product from the production of ethanol called distillers grains. This is used as feed for cattle. So blaming ethanol doesn't hold water in this case.

[FMJ]

Originally Posted by Cayman1

Thank the elected officials in DC for a lot of this problem, they are the ones that passed the requirement that 30% or so of all corn production must go to produce ethanol. Never mind about food for people or livestock. Di**heads!

I think it is a location thing though, I just paid $3.39 for CAB packers.

Feedlots use all the distillers grain they can get, it's actually higher in protein than ground corn. Very little corn product is "consumed" in the ethanol process.

[BigBellyBen77]

The shortage of corn as well as severe droughts have led to a drop in supply. My parents have a cattle operation in Colorado and have had to sell some of the herd off and may have to do more. The other issue driving prices up is with gas prices high the transportation cost increases. I can usually find brisket for around 2.40/lb but am contacting some local beef producers about buying directly from them.

[Bamabuzzard]

Originally Posted by BigBellyBen77

The shortage of corn as well as severe droughts have led to a drop in supply. My parents have a cattle operation in Colorado and have had to sell some of the herd off and may have to do more. The other issue driving prices up is with gas prices high the transportation cost increases. I can usually find brisket for around 2.40/lb but am contacting some local beef producers about buying directly from them.

This is what I've been told as well. Farmers selling off their herds and the rising prices of fuel driving up transportation cost.

[Gnaws on Pigs]

If you can find packers around here, they're gonna set you back about $50-$60 in the few places I've seen them. And stuff like flank steak and skirt steak-about $15-$20 for a piece. What's funny is that there are bazillions of beef cattle grown here-most of the land is too steep to crop farm, so it's mostly cow pastures. Now pork-it's pretty cheap. I bought whole butts for .99 a lb. a couple weeks ago.

[bigticket1]

Originally Posted by Pyle's BBQ

You both are wrong about ethanol. There is a by-product from the production of ethanol called distillers grains. This is used as feed for cattle. So blaming ethanol doesn't hold water in this case.

Exactly - the main reason for potential higher beef prices is the severe drought that has caused cow-calf producers in Texas are other big cattle states to liquidate their cow herds , which will eventually lead to lower supplies.

[Vision]

Originally Posted by Gore

Thanks, I haven't seen any in my area. I still check the local stores from time to time, but I can't recall seeing less than $5/ pound in I don't know how long. Even our Costco is never below $5/pound if they even have it at all.

Where are you?

[jestridge]

well corn prices suppose to be cheaper this year,and cattle prices have drop some , in the next few month they should be dropping, but like someone said brisket is a popular meat

[WareZdaBeef]

Here in PA brisket is expensive. Even at the wholesale clubs your paying $4.00/lb. I found that your better off getting a pre-trimmed brisket for $5.00/lb because the amount of fat you would trim off would more then make up for that extra $1/lb. Plus they tend to pre-trim the briskets with more meat on them. I have a rule of thumb , well 3 thumbs...If the flat end is less then 3 thumbs thick of meat it doesnt go into my shopping cart. I laugh when i see a brisket being sold with 3 inches of fat and 1 inch of meat at the flat end.

[Ackman]

Clearly I live in the wrong place, briskets run about $6.00 a pound, and the funny thing is I almost never see them on sale but I can regularly buy Porterhouse steaks for $5.00 a pound and the Butts $3.00+.

[Flat_Rate]

I don't do brisket anymore, I like eating it but won't pay for it, not when I can still get chicken at reasonable prices. Haven't done ribs in awhile for the same reason, when I want beef I'll try and find a chuck roast on sale and do Pepper Stout or make burnt ends. Tastes the same in the end.

[landarc]

Chicken costs me more than brisket these days

[WareZdaBeef]

Im addicted to smoking briskets. Once you perfect making them, you wont want butts,ribs,or chickens anymore. But, judging by my nickname you can clearly see im bias.

I havent tried smoking chuck roast yet, but I rarely see them under $3.49/lb so not much cheaper then brisket. I hear people talk about other cuts, but ive not seen the cuts mentioned in any grocery or wholesale clubs in my area.

[Bamabuzzard]

Originally Posted by WareZdaBeef

Im addicted to smoking briskets. Once you perfect making them, you wont want butts,ribs,or chickens anymore. But, judging by my nickname you can clearly see im bias.

I havent tried smoking chuck roast yet, but I rarely see them under $3.49/lb so not much cheaper then brisket. I hear people talk about other cuts, but ive not seen the cuts mentioned in any grocery or wholesale clubs in my area.

I've yet to taste a brisket this good.

[WareZdaBeef]

Originally Posted by Bamabuzzard

I've yet to taste a brisket this good.

I'll try my best...