Patrick Thomas

These small towns are kind of company towns.

Despite the higher prices, people really, really love beef and protein in particular with the protein craze.

So beef demand hasn't dropped off.

So it's supported these higher prices.

And that's been the big revelation to a lot of people.

So what can be done about these high prices?

There's a couple of things that could bring some immediate relief, one of which, which is very controversial, is imports.

Importing beef from other countries.

Correct.

The Trump administration, as we've reported, has considered signing executive orders that would basically reduce a tariff rate on certain beef-exporting countries out of South America.

The rancher is scarred from history of low profits, and they don't want to lose the good times.

They are making more money than they ever have in history, and the data backs that up.

They're getting more money for their cattle than they ever have, and they want to keep that going.

Right now, there's no end in sight.

Some things could happen, but at this moment, it seems like beef prices are going to be high.

They're going to stay high and keep rising for some time.

But right now, it seems like we're headed for a place where beef is more of the luxury protein and that we're going to have to stomach these higher prices for good.

And it just might be kind of the luxury item at the meat case.

Oh, my God.

And, you know, I'm not on the hook for it.