Beef prices in the United States are at record highs heading into the holiday season — and tariffs aren’t the only reason.

At Oak Barn Beef in West Point, Nebraska, family tradition runs deep. Owner and operator Hannah Klitz is a fifth‑generation cattle producer. Alongside her husband, she sells farm‑to‑table beef to the local community and ships products nationwide.

"Quarter four is normally our busiest quarter, just because of all of the gifting — and it's one of my favorite times of year," Klitz said. "But I spend almost all year preparing."

This year, the couple faced a difficult choice.

"We have had to raise prices this year just with rising input costs," Klitz said.

The beef industry is battling multiple challenges: a prolonged drought across key cattle states, record‑high feed

See Full Page