A lot of corn production was diverted to ethanol from animal feed use and the price of transportation fuel rose -- now having receded -- prices did not go down -- profit margins widened.
http://www.ers.usda.gov/datafiles/Fe...ookTable15.xls
^^Feed_Grains_Yearbook_Tables
USDA ERS - Feed Grains: Yearbook Tables- livestock feed costs have risen due to corn crop diversion to motor fuels E15
- increased fertilizer costs
- increased transportation costs (diesel)
The cost have not come down with the crude oil crash and I am guessing meat products profit margins have increased.
Have a can of beans :P