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 …
Tag: antitrust
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 …
30% of Nothing is Still Nothing
Currently there is a movement in the cattle industry calling for a mandatory beef cattle cash market volume of 30%. Corbitt Wall is touting it as the biggest thing to hit the cattle industry since Y-Tex eartags, while patting himself on the back like he just invented a new card game. Meanwhile, NCBA has been spending our checkoff dollars developing an online cookbook. Beef producers need Market Reform, not Martha Stewart. Perhaps NCBA could spend less of its Read More …
WNAX | OCM Wants Regulators To Disallow DFA Acquisition Of Majority Of Dean Foods
Dean Foods officials have announced that Dairy Farmers of America is the winning bidder to acquire 44 of their fluid and frozen facilities for $433 million. Organization For Competitive Markets Director of Policy and Research Ben Gotschall says that’s a huge concentration concern and that that deal still must be approved before it goes through. He says it’s important to note that the U.S. Justice Department is investigating any possible anti-trust concerns with this acquisition. Gotschall says antitrust Read More …
WNAX | Organization For Competitive Markets Is Monitoring Sale Of Dean Foods Assets
The Organization For Competitive Markets is monitoring the bidding process for the acquisition of Dean Foods assets following the company’s decision to file for bankruptcy. Earlier Dean had received an offer from Dairy Farmers of America to purchase some of their assets however they have now withdrawn that offer. That move allows for a competitive bidding process. OCM Policy and Research Director Ben Gotschall says that competitive bidding is what’s needed to address concentration concerns. He says OCM Read More …
WNAX | OCM Calling For Revision Of DOJ And FTC Vertical Merger Guidelines
The Organization for Competitive Markets has filed comments with the U.S. Justice Department and Federal Trade Commission on their Vertical Merger Guidelines. OCM Director of Policy and Research Ben Gotschall says those guidelines haven’t been revised since 1982 and have several shortcomings that need fixing. He says the current guidelines don’t give enough protection to consumers, or farmers and ranchers and need to be thrown out and replaced. Gotschall says there’s also a comment period going on now Read More …
Cooperative Consolidation: Why Dairy Farmers of America Should Not Be Allowed to Purchase Dean Foods
By Bobbi Wilson, Wisconsin Farmers Union The looming threat of a milk monopoly is making headlines as the nation’s largest dairy cooperative, Dairy Farmers of America, negotiates the purchase of Dean Foods following its bankruptcy announcement. If the deal is approved, DFA would achieve near total control over regional fluid milk markets in New England and the Midwest. The news comes on the heels of a Government Accountability Office report showing reduced farmer earnings and power imbalances result from Read More …