The highest beef prices in decades have some consumers spending extra time in meat market aisles as they search for cuts that won’t break their budgets. AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki Shrinking cattle supply, water shortage and growing exports have caused prices to soar and diets to change Beef prices have hit their highest level in almost three decades, causing sticker shock for both consumers and restaurant owners — and relief isn’t likely anytime soon. 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 in February, up almost a quarter from January and the highest price since 1987. Everything that is produced is being consumed, said Kevin Good, […]