MASCOT, Tenn. (WATE) — If you feel like your recent trip to the grocery store is breaking the bank, it may be because beef prices are on the rise.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, beef and veal prices are up about 10% compared to last year, and local cattle farmers say they don’t expect them to drop anytime soon.

John Niceley has been a rancher at Strong Stock Farm in Mascot for over 40 years. He said nearly everything in the cattle industry has gone up in price.

“We're in a place where we're kind of getting blamed for high prices when everything's going up,” he said.

Between the cost of cattle, labor, and machines he said it has become expensive to operate. With most ranchers his age getting out of the business, he also said less are looking to opt-in.

“Nobody wants t

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