High prices for corn, beef, and other staples right now make it difficult for a one-location restaurant to price competitively and still make a profit.

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Problem is you guys force cows to eat corn instead of grass, I even remember as a kid during my first vacations in the US when some waitress at an upscale restaurant was bragging about their AAA grade corn-feed beef steak, which was only slightly less chewy than leather.

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Historical trends show that demand for agricultural products like corn, poultry, pork and beef increases with per capita income, especially in India, Russia and China.

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The deal fell through, but after spending enough time there on reconnaissance trips, he decided to make an homage to his near-business venture and marry kimchi, grilled pork or beef short rib, and corn tortillas.

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Until recently, inexpensive corn has helped keep down the price of beef.

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Increasing feed costs, in combination with withering grasslands in the Great Plains and Corn Belt regions, are prompting ranchers to downsize beef and dairy herds.

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But since corn is used to feed livestock, any increase in its price will also cause the price of beef, pork, poultry and dairy products to rise.

ECONOMIST: Agriculture