But for most British people, the future of beef prices is the least of their worries.

ECONOMIST: Mad cows

The future for American beef cattle is smaller, thinner, fewer.

BBC: Smaller, fewer, thinner - the future for American beef?

Les Armstrong, from the National Farmers' Union, said the future looked more certain for British beef farmers.

BBC: British beef fightback starts

Even so, Naomi Starkman, a food media consultant to Consumers Union, said in a statement that the documented case of a BSE positive cow raised serious questions about the future safety of U.S. beef.

FORBES: Mad Cow Case Kicks Beef Industry When It's Down

It is understood Beijing and Washington would beef up consultations in the near future.

CNN: Jiang keen to ensure U.S. relations not damaged

As another example, if you beef up customer service to improve churn, you directly impact future costs, and therefore deteriorate the potential cash flow contribution.

FORBES: The Dangerous Seduction of the Lifetime Value (LTV) Formula

It's practically inevitable that the fiber carriers will beef up their offerings, improve their hardware and become bona fide competitors in not-too-distant future.

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