So, not wanting to start a panic but I just had an interesting encounter at my local Walmart. I was looking for KC style ribs but was only finding baby back - lots and lots of Baby Back ribs. Yet, here was a Walmart employee putting MORE ribs out. I had also noticed that all of the cases where the various cuts of beef and pork were also stocked to overflowing. I asked the Walmart guy stocking the ribs if he had any KC style ribs or where they might be since I wasn't finding any - he had a case he was about to put out so while he unloaded the boxes to get to the ones I wanted, I asked why they had so much meat out (steaks were stacked 6 high, for example) - his reply:"We were told that there's going to be a food shortage and not to expect any shipments for at least two weeks and they were told to put everything they had out on the shelves". I pressed him for more info but all he knew was that the 3 Walmarts in our town were going to be affected - he had no idea if this was regional, nation-wide or just in our town. I live in NM, BTW. I called my son in CO, to give him a heads-up and to see if he had heard/noticed anything similar where he lives. He was unaware of any food shortages looming but did state that about half of the gas stations in and around Colorado Springs where out of gas because there are no drivers for the fuel trucks, or at least that's what he heard the reason was. Anyone else have any similar stories or observations?
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I've heard that ranchers/farmers are auctioning their cows/pigs in record numbers because feed is sky rocketing in price and they can't afford to feed them.
Depends on your area. Indiana was selling hogs for 100 ea., big loss, because once they get over 200lbs, its difficult for processors to cut them up.
The issue here was not availability, but the processing, too much demand, not enough people to cut them up. Tyson and other big packers were sending people home, not receiving and cancelling orders, which caused a backup in supply.
Farmers had to dump direct to consumers, who had to cut them up themselves.
At least locally, those in the know now have overflowing larders full of meats.
Feed only had a small impact. Around here, feed is made locally, so supply is ample. When you cant unload your animals, however, you dont want to dip deep into your feed supply and cause issues, so you sell direct instead.
Interesting. Thanks