Bugs vs Beef

Some Nebraska ranchers say a grasshopper infestation is forcing them to sell their cattle. That's because the pests are eating grass and other forage grown for livestock in such proportions, some ranchers won't have enough feed come winter. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says much of Nebraska, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho have the worst grasshopper infestations this year. But large populations also have been found elsewhere from Texas to Oregon. Officials say the hopper-instigated cattle sell-offs aren't likely to increase consumer meat prices. But that's little comfort to people like South Dakota rancher Mark Tubbs, who says he plans to sell about a third of this cows this fall for lack of feed.