The Interim Director of OCM, Ben Gotschall, talks about a moratorium on beef imports, consolidation in the industry, and improving the markets for American producers.
Heritage Radio Network | OCM Weighs in on Cattle
Author: OCM Staff
Online Event: Meat Processing and Inspection with Dr. James Dillon
On June 25th, 2020, OCM launched the first video of its summer online event series, a presentation by Dr. James Dillon, Director of the Texas Meat and Poultry Inspection Program. This video is a great overview of the different types of meat inspection, and discusses the effects of currently proposed legislation that would affect the market access of state-inspected meat. You can watch the video presentation here: Here is a breakdown with links to the relevant sections of Read More …
OCM to Hold Series of Online Discussions
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 23, 2020 Media Contact: Ben Gotschall bgotschall@competitivemarkets.com 402-540-1342 OCM to Hold Series of Online Discussions First Topic will be Meat Processing and Inspection LINCOLN, NE: The Organization for Competitive Markets has announced that its annual conference, scheduled for August has been cancelled. In order to provide timely information and discussion of topics important to its members and to the public, OCM will be hosting a series of online events dealing with issues Read More …
Cincinnati News 12 | Skyrocketing beef prices spark signs at Kroger, federal investigations
by James Pilcher Source: Cincinnati Local 12 News Date Published: June 17, 2020 LATONIA, Ky. (WKRC) – Bard’s Burgers and Chili is known for its burgers fresh off the griddle, and customers were glad to see them reopen to diners in May. But they were also greeted by higher prices on the menu, thanks in part to rising beef prices. “I mean, they’ve just literally skyrocketed,” said Bard’s owner Jordan Stephens. “I mean, almost triple we were — Read More …
Bloomberg | U.S. Meat Giants Face Biggest Attack in Century From Probe
by David McLaughlin Source: Bloomberg Business Date Published: June 15, 2020 The Trump administration is launching what could turn out to be the biggest attack in a century against the giants of America’s meat industry, which already faced uproar over employee treatment during the pandemic. The Justice Department is bringing criminal charges in the poultry industry just as it opens a formal probe of beef companies. Regulators are also scrutinizing potential price manipulation, and on Capitol Hill, lawmakers are clamoring for a Read More …
WNAX Radio | Meat Packers Facing Civil Case Charging Collusion And Price Fixing
Source: WNAX Radio Date Published: June 11, 2020 The Four Big meatpackers are under a lot of pressure lately with not only the Justice Department Investigation but now a Chicago Grocery Chain has filed a civil lawsuit against them charging collusion and price fixing. Organization for Competitive Markets Interim Executive Director Ben Gotschall says the problem of packers getting paid more than producers for their cattle has been around a long time. South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President Eric Read More …
South Dakota Public Broadcasting | Pandemic Widens Gulf Between Packers and Producers
by Seth Tupper Source: South Dakota Public Broadcasting Date Published: June 2, 2020 Rancher Rick Fox said there aren’t as many buyers for his cattle anymore, because the four major beef processors are so big they’ve pushed out competition. He said that drives down the price of cattle. “It’s kind of like going to a farm auction and if you wait till the end of the sale when everybody leaves, you get a pretty good deal,” Fox said. That good deal for meatpackers Read More …
High Plains Journal | COVID-19 exposing stress points in meat supply system
by David Murray Source: High Plains Journal Date Published: May 24, 2020 As the COVID-19 crisis grinds on, it is exposing serious stress points in the nation’s delicately balanced meat supply system. Decades of consolidation and centralization in the meat processing industry have created a system precisely attuned to serve the exact mix of retail and wholesale meat customers that existed prior to the virus. Improved logistics and data management techniques have helped the system operate in as Read More …