For beef producers, the issue is less clear. That's ironic given fast food was built on hamburger. Hamburger-type beef is not our niche. Beef's latest surge has been the export of high-end cuts. That's what we're best at.
Solutions come through research.
Iowa State did work in the early '90s on young bull feeding sponsored by a fast food company concerned about cow beef supply. Nobody wanted to step forward, feed bulls or offer contracts. Recently, another fast food supplier has expressed interest. I'm not sure what will come of it this time. Online SF Magazine Copyright Meredith Corporation 1996.