A Waiting Game: R-Calf is waiting on their lawsuit against four main meat packers

The courts are still considering R-Calf’s lawsuit against the four major meat packers, which claims they conspired to depress prices.

R-Calf CEO Bill Bullard tells agoinfo.net they are waiting on the courts to approve a multi-million-dollar class action suit against JBS. As part of the agreement, Bullard says JBS would then help in the cases against the other three packers.

Bullard says right now they just have to wait.

“So the way this works is that the court will determine whether the proposed class action settlement is appropriate and equitable,” Bullard said. “And if such a determination is made, then the court would order that notice be sent to all the potential members of the class who could file a claim against the settlement.”

Any producer who sold to the Big Four packers (Tyson Foods, JBS USA, Cargill Meat Solutions, and National Beef Packing Co.) between June 2015 and February 2020 can participate in the class action lawsuit.

Related Stories
Nationwide highlights expanded insurance options for cattle operations and their company initiatives to promote grain bin safety and support women in agriculture.
Success requires more than talent — on this week’s FFA Today, agriculture students show us the hard work, dedication, and teamwork required to gain important skills outside of the classroom through the National FFA Organization.
OODIA’s Lewie Pugh discusses the EPA’s new Right to Repair guidance and other regulatory developments impacting the trucking and agriculture industries.
NCBA Chief Counsel Mary-Thomas Hart breaks down CAFO permits, EPA enforcement, and what cattle producers need to know as rules continue to evolve.
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey spoke with U.S. Congressmen Henry Cuellar (D-TX) and John Rose (R-TN), who say bipartisan cooperation will be key to getting the Farm Bill to the president’s desk.
The EPA has approved over-the-top dicamba applications for the 2026 and 2027 growing seasons, outlining new rules that impact herbicide use for U.S. crop producers.
Low prices are painful now, but production response could support stronger milk markets later in 2026.
Merck’s Gary Tiller discusses new virtual fencing technology and how fence-free livestock management could change the way ranchers manage land and cattle.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

California rancher and former NCBA President Kevin Kester joined House Republicans on Tuesday to tout provisions in the Big, Beautiful Bill that support family ranches.
The EPA proposal laid out two options: fully reallocate all exempted volumes to the 2026–2027 standards, or reallocate half.
The Fertilizer Research Act, reintroduced by Sens. Grassley, Ernst, and Baldwin, would direct the USDA to study and publish public reports on competition and pricing trends in the fertilizer market.
Allowing year-round sales of E15 nationally could deliver billions in economic gains, according to a new study from the Renewable Fuels Association and National Corn Growers Association.
U.S. aquaculture may gain competitive ground as harmful subsidies are phased out abroad, but producers should monitor shifts in import supply chains and trade enforcement closely.
Producers may need to prepare for margin pressure in livestock feeding, while dairy farmers could benefit from stronger product demand.