Category: Policy & Research

OCM is the only national think tank focusing strictly on antitrust and trade policy in agriculture for the preservation of America’s independent family farmers and ranchers. We initiate an extensive research and communications program to distribute knowledge and information about true free market principles in the American tradition.

OCM Submits Comments on FTC “Made in the USA” Rule

OCM Staff

The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) submitted public comments on a proposed rule that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would use to strengthen its enforcement program and help businesses understand and comply with Made in the USA (MUSA) labeling law. The proposed rule would set clear standards on what would constitute unqualified MUSA claims, and would authorize the FTC to assess penalties against businesses making unlawful MUSA claims on product labels. The FTC’s request for comment on the Read More …

OCM Releases Report on Regulatory Capture

OCM Staff

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 24, 2020   Media Contact: Ben Gotschall bgotschall@competitivemarkets.com 402-540-1342   Organization for Competitive Markets Releases Report on Regulatory Capture White paper reveals ag industry and government are too close for comfort LINCOLN, NE: The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) has released a report on regulatory agency capture entitled “Captured: How Agribusiness Controls Regulatory Agencies and Harms Producers and Consumers.” The 25-page paper details the revolving door between major agribusiness firms and the regulatory agencies Read More …

Public Comments on the Proposed Rule: Undue and Unreasonable Preferences and Advantages Under the Packers and Stockyards Act

OCM Staff

Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) submitted public comments on a rule that the Secretary of Agriculture would use to determine whether or not a corporate practice would hinder fair competition in agriculture and livestock markets. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) proposed rule regarding enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act (PSA) seeks to clarify how the PSA is interpreted and enforced. Download: OCM Public Comments on the Proposed Rule: Undue and Unreasonable Read More …

Public Comments on the U.S. DOJ and the FTC Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines

OCM Staff

Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) submitted public comments on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines.  Download: OCM Public Comments on DOJ and FTC Draft Vertical Merger Guidelines OCM argues that 1984 Non-Horizontal Merger Guidelines, currently in place, should be rescinded, as the nearly 40-year-old merger review standards do not reflect today’s economic realities in which consolidation in agriculture has driven farmers off the land, reduced farm income, and eroded Read More …

How USMCA Misses the Mark for U.S. Farmers and Ranchers

OCM Staff

The Organization for Competitive Markets (OCM) is gravely disappointed that the economic viability of America’s farmers and ranchers has once again been left out of the U.S., Mexico, and Canada trilateral agreement. History shows that major multinational trade agreements like the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are only renegotiated once in a generation. USMCA’s predecessor, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), was executed 27 years ago, in 1992. USMCA is a 16-year agreement with an option for an additional Read More …

Briefing Paper | Shell Game Diverts Millions of Farm Tax Dollars to Kansas Lobbying Group, Threatening Beef Checkoff Program

OCM Staff

Read Our Briefing Paper: Shell Game Diverts Millions of Farm Tax Dollars to Kansas Lobbying Group, Threatening Beef Checkoff Program Under federal law, every head of cattle sold incurs a $1.00 tax, which is to be collected by state entities to be used to benefit the American cattle industry. A review by the Organization for Competitive Markets of one of the largest of these state programs, the Kansas Beef Checkoff Program, reveals a system rife with illegal financial payments Read More …

Policy Brief | State Series: Consolidation and the American Family Farm – Ohio

OCM Staff

Consolidation and globalization in the agriculture sector have serious implications for Ohio’s family farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. Concentration of corporate power in agriculture has risen to levels not seen since the Gilded Age, allowing multinational agribusiness interests to exert growing influence over policy and programs. Corporate concentration has left little competition and fewer opportunities for the state’s next generation of farmers and ranchers, while extracting wealth out of local economies. As the economic backbone of rural communities, Read More …

Policy Brief | State Series: Consolidation and the American Family Farm – North Dakota

OCM Staff

High levels of agribusiness and corporate farming concentration have serious implications for North Dakota, given that agriculture is the largest economic contributor in the state. The combination of consolidation and wealth extraction from rural communities has left little competition and fewer opportunities for the state’s next generation of farmers and ranchers. In addition to consolidation, multinational agribusinesses use largeness to their advantage by exerting influence over industry groups, policy, and programs intended to help farmers and consumers. The Read More …