An unprecedented meeting held in May among major cattle industry representatives, typically at odds, has produced plans for change and calls for answers from U.S. lawmakers. Keep up with the latest on this page.
NCBA Statement on GIPSA Announcement
June 11, 2021
NCBA issued a statement in response to USDA’s announcement that they are beginning the process of initiating three separate rulemakings to support enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.
USCA Applauds Bill to Establish Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters
June 11, 2021
Senators Tester (D-MT), Grassley (R-IA), and Rounds (R-SD) have introduced legislation that would amend the Packers and Stockyards Act to establish the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters.
USDA To Strengthen Enforcement of Packers & Stockyards Act
June 11, 2021
USDA will begin work on three proposed rules to support enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act, a 100-year-old law designed to protect producers from unfair, and anti-competitive practices in meat markets.
NCBA Takes Action to Increase Producer Profitability Through USDA -Verified Labels
June 10, 2021
The NCBA has filed a petition with the USDA-FSIS to eliminate the use of “Product of the USA” and other broad U.S. origin labeling claims for beef products that are potentially misleading to consumers.
Additional Cattle Markets Legislation Introduced in U.S. House
June 9, 2021
Missouri Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler introduced the Optimizing the Cattle Market Act of 2021 in the U.S. House. If enacted, the bill would direct USDA to build a cattle formula contracts library.
NCBA Echoes Growing Demands for DOJ Investigation Results
June 9, 2021
Lawmakers continue calling on the Department of Justice to complete their investigation into the meatpacking sector, and whether or not anticompetitive practices have contributed to an imbalance in the cattle markets.
NCBA Pushes Congress to Address Cattle Industry Concerns
June 2, 2021
NCBA led a letter with the support of 37 affiliate state cattle organizations, urging the leadership of the Senate and House Agriculture Committees to address critical areas of concern in the cattle and beef industry.
Senators Promise Hearing On Cattle Markets
May 28, 2021
The disparity in cattle markets was a lead topic of discussion during Senate Agriculture Committee’s nomination hearing for USDA’s general counsel, with Senators promising to soon hold a hearing on livestock markets.
Cattle Groups Say Historic Meeting to Fight Market Monopoly is Just the Start
May 25, 2021
Calls for change came to a head this month, as cattle groups held an industry-wide meeting made history. And the groups say the first meeting is just the start.
Sen. Rounds Pushes DOJ On Packer Probe
May 21, 2021
The growing disparity between wholesale beef prices and live cattle prices is hurting both consumers and cattlemen, says Senator Mike Rounds, who asked members of Congress to sign a letter to the Department of Justice.
Meat Packers Respond to Cattle Industry’s Call for Change, Further Investigation
May 21, 2021
The cattle industry’s unprecedented meeting was centered around meat packing margins and claims of market monopoly. The meeting among the six groups is now drawing a response from the meat packing industry.
Senator Rounds Joins AgriTalk to Discuss the Cattle Industry
May 20, 2021
May 19, 2021
An unprecedented meeting held early this month among major cattle industry representatives has now produced plans for change. It’s happening while a group of U.S. lawmakers are also asking the DOJ for answers.
Larry Schnell and Justin Tupper Talk About the Cattle Industry’s Meeting
May 18, 2021
Bicameral Push for Swift Conclusion to DOJ Investigation
May 17, 2021
Sen. John Thune and Rep. Dusty Johnson led a bicameral letter to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging the DOJ to move forward with its investigation into anticompetitive practices in the meatpacking industry.
Joint Statement of Livestock Organizations Regarding Market Concerns
May 17, 2021
Livestock groups discuss challenges involved in the marketing of finished cattle with the ultimate goal of bringing about a more financially sustainable situation for cattle feeders and cow-calf producers.
Cattle Industry Groups Hold Closed-Door Meeting to Discuss Price Imbalances
May 13, 2021
The more than $900 margin between producers and packers has the largest industry representatives, that are typically at odds, working together.
