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
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) discusses the gap in truck driver education programs and how it impacts road safety and supply chain economics.
Cattle imports from Mexico remain stalled amid the New World screwworm outbreak. At the same time, Tyson closures add pressure on Nebraska producers and markets ahead of the USDA’s upcoming Cattle on Feed Report.
USTR Jamieson Greer signals a narrower trade deal with China, adding more market uncertainty. The Farm Bureau also supports reviewing China’s missed trade commitments under the Phase One.
Water access—not acreage alone—is driving where irrigation expands or contracts.
The Lexington shutdown pushes national slaughter capacity utilization nearer long-run averages, underscoring how tight cattle supplies are reshaping packer operations.
The FAO Food Price Index for November fell by more than 1 percent in November, marking the third straight month of declines.
“The Expanding Access to Risk Protection (EARP) Final Rule streamlines requirements across multiple crops, responds to producer feedback, and strengthens USDA’s commitment to putting America’s farmers first,” said the USDA.
Rep. Michelle Fischbach shares her appreciation for rural communities and outlines how the Working Families Tax Cut is aimed to support farm families on RFD-TV’s Champions of Rural America.
While the 2018 Farm Bill received an extension under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act, the National Pork Producers Council wants lawmakers to do more to support the sector.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

AFBF Economist Faith Parum provides analysis and perspective on the Farmer Bridge Assistance Program—what commodity growers should know and potential remedies for producers facing crop losses where that aid falls short.
In a post to social media, Trump said Venezuela will buy American agriculture products and will use the money from oil sales to make it happen.
Federal nutrition policy is signaling a stronger demand for whole foods produced by U.S. farmers and ranchers. Consumer-facing guidance favors animal protein, but institutional demand may change little under existing saturated fat limits.
Farmer Bridge payments are being used primarily to reduce debt and protect cash flow, not drive new spending. Curt Blades with the Association of Equipment Manufacturers joined us to provide insight into the ag equipment market and the factors influencing sales.
Wed, 1/21/26 – 7:30 PM ET | 6:30 PM CT | 5:30 PM MT | 4:30 PM PT
University of Nebraska President Dr. Jeffrey Gold joined us to share insights on building healthy habits and improving rural health in the year ahead.