ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, VA (Rocktown Now) — Virginia consumers should brace for a stretch of stubbornly high retail beef prices through the end of the year. Tight national cattle supplies, lingering drought impacts in Virginia and the West, and steady summer grilling demand are keeping wholesale values elevated.

Across the Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley, cattle prices have surged from roughly $130–$170 per hundredweight (2019–2021), to $170–$205 (2024), to $425–$540 today. According to data provided by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, a late June state-graded feeder cattle sale in Winchester saw feeder steers sell for as high as $616.15 per hundredweight. That’s a significant jump driven by tight national supplies, strong demand, and higher production costs.

In the Mid-Atlantic Region, beef processors report strong competition for finished cattle, which is pushing store prices upward even as feed costs ease slightly. By early fall, analysts expect only modest relief: a few cents here and there as cooler weather slows demand, but not enough to reverse the overall trend. Holiday buying will likely firm prices again in November and December, especially for roasts and premium cuts.

For many Virginia families, that means budgeting carefully, watching weekly specials, and considering alternative cuts like chuck, round, and skirt steak, which often sell for less than ribeye and sirloin. The bottom line: beef will stay pricey, but smart shopping can soften the economic impact.