Droughts are hitting cattle ranchers hard – and that could make beef more expensive

Cattle graze amid drought conditions near Ojai, Calif., on June 21. Drought in parts of the country have forced some ranchers to slaughter their cattle early, leading to a drop in beef prices that will only be temporary. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Supermarket shoppers are seeing something unusual these days: discounts in the meat department.

Steak prices have fallen in each of the last three months even as the cost of chicken, pork and most other groceries has gone up. But bargains in the butcher case are likely to be temporary.