OCM_Press_Release_march1609 OCM Released a three-part video series called “Seeds of Domination” in which the ills of concentration in the patented seed industry is examined. Seeds of Domination – Part 1 Seeds of Domination – Part 2 Seeds of Domination – Part 3
Author: Mike Callicrate
JBS Abandons Bid For Beef Packing Take-Over
R-CALF USA and the Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) are pleased with today’s announcement reported by Reuters, Sao Paulo, that Brazilian-owned meatpacker JBS has abandoned its bid to take over National Beef Packing Co. (National Beef), the fourth largest U.S. meatpacker. According to the Reuters article, JBS abandoned the takeover due to a “lack of satisfactory conditions.” R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard said this takeover bid was defeated by a combination of aggressive opposition from R-CALF USA and Read More …
David Balto Receives OCM’s John Helmuth Award
Organization for Competitive Markets P.O. Box 6486 Lincoln, NE 68506 www.competitivemarkets.com Contact: Fred Stokes, 662-476-5568 or 601-527-2459 Michael Stumo, 413.854.2580 Lincoln, Nebraska – On August 23, 2008, the Organization for Competitive Markets awarded its highest public interest award, the John Helmuth Award, to attorney David Balto. The award recognizes Balto for his significant work in providing pro-antitrust representation to America’s farmers and ranchers. John Helmuth was a renowned agricultural economist who died in 1999. Helmuth was instrumental in Read More …
Monsanto Corn Seed Price Hikes a Threat to Agriculture
Organization for Competitive Markets P.O. Box 6486 Lincoln, NE 68506 www.competitivemarkets.com For Immediate Release: July 24, 2008 Contact: Kristina Hubbard, hubbard@competitivemarkets.com, 406-203-4433 Fred Stokes, tfredstokes@hughes.net, 601-527-2459 Monsanto Corn Seed Price Hikes a Threat to Agriculture Lincoln, NE – The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) says Monsanto’s market power is driving up seed prices and increasing economic risk to farmers. “Monsanto’s market power has been quietly accruing over several years and has now begun materially impacting price,” said Keith Read More …
OCM Applauds Fifth Circuit Packers and Stockyards Act Decision
Organization for Competitive Markets P.O. Box 6486 Lincoln, NE 68506 www.competitivemarkets.com For Immediate Release: July 23, 2008 Contacts: Michael Stumo, 413-854-2580 Fred Stokes, 662-476-5568 or 601-527-2459 Lincoln, NE – The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) hailed a decision released Monday by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Wheeler v. Pilgrim’s Pride) holding that a plaintiff need not prove an adverse effect on competition to prevail in a suit alleging a violation of the Packers and Read More …
Download the Complaint: U.S. vs. Monsanto and Delta and Pine Land
U.S.vsMonsantoDelta_COMPLAINT
Corporate Power
The problem of consolidation in the seed industry is well known. One company in particular, the Monsanto Company, controls a high percentage of the global seed market and continues to increase its dominance by acquiring or merging with a significant number of companies in its industry. Monsanto has acquired dozens of independent seed companies in the last decade. It controls 70% of the transgenic corn market and more than 90% of the transgenic soybean market. In 2007, Monsanto Read More …
Seed Concentration Focus
Seed Concentration Project Our Mission The OCM Crop Seed Concentration Project pursues aggressive and appropriate pro-market regulation to bring fairness, innovation and competition back to the U.S. crop seed industry. We engage in public education and advocacy, while building a lasting foundation to achieve these goals. What’s the problem? Higher seed and chemical costs In addition to rising fuel and chemical prices, farmers are also paying higher prices for crop seed with less choice in the market. Companies Read More …