The prices are being controlled by a consolidated processing market. 85% of domestic beef is being cut by 4 processors. They drive the price, not the farmers/ranchers. Talk to those selling their cattle and see how their reimbursement is going.
Also, the country of origin labeling is not truthful on a lot of "American" beef". If the cutting is modified in any way in America, you can label it as American beef. Completely phucked up system.
The small independents are the only way to go.
I just got a whole lamb, haven't bought a beef for many years.
