Beef Industry Consolidation 

• The US is a net beef importer; overseas beef is cheaper for the large beef processors to buy
• Prices paid to ranchers until 2024 were very low, causing them to reduce their herds
• A shortage arose, in part due to reduced imports from Mexico after the New World Screwworm was discovered there
• Prices then skyrocketed for consumers
• Overall, quality has toppled

Today ranchers only receive 30% of the market price.  No wonder they are doing so badly.