Beef prices to farmers are 40 % lower than two years ago.

Beef prices have fallen by 40 percent in the last year alone.

"The higher beef prices move, the more people are going to switch," he said.

Wholesale beef prices have declined almost every year since the early 1980's.

Reporters wondered why low beef prices were not good for consumers.

If beef prices rise during the period, the farmers lose out, but in the event of a fall, they enjoy security.

Some think the valley needs the money the railroad construction would bring, because beef prices have dropped.

With beef prices low, many Western ranchers already have their financial backs to the wall.

Also, he said, wholesale beef prices have stabilized and look as though they could move higher later in the week.

Unfortunately this was about the same time that beef prices had plummeted.