Rising beef prices dampen grilling season.

• Position: YOUR LIFE - Brief article

The highest beef prices in almost three decades have arrived just before the start of grilling season, causing sticker shock for both consumers and restaurant owners--and relief is not likely anytime soon, explains Lee Schultz, assistant professor of economics at Iowa State University, Ames.

A dwindling number of cattle and growing export demand from countries such as China and Japan have caused the average retail cost of fresh beef to climb to $5.28 a pound, the highest price since 1987.

Everything that is produced is being consumed, according to Kevin Good, an analyst at CattleFax, a Colorado-based information group, and prices are likely to stay high for a couple...