NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — U.S. beef markets entered new territory Friday after President Donald Trump directed the Department of Justice to immediately investigate major meat-packing companies for alleged collusion and price manipulation. The order came as retail beef costs sit near record highs and cattle supplies remain among the tightest in decades.
Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed within minutes that the investigation had officially begun, signaling one of the most aggressive federal antitrust actions targeting the packing sector in years.
The probe focuses on whether dominant processors — which handle roughly 80% of U.S. grain-fed cattle — coordinated to influence wholesale and retail beef prices at a time when ranchers continue to struggle with limited packer capacity and historically low herd numbers.
While the administration argues that illicit pricing practices are inflating beef prices for consumers, packers maintain that drought-driven herd declines, high feed costs, and plant-level labor pressures are responsible for today’s elevated prices. The DOJ is expected to work closely with USDA as subpoenas, document requests, and depositions begin shaping the scope of the case.
For cattle producers, the stakes are significant. Any disruption to packer operations could affect cash bids, basis levels, grid premiums, and overall throughput — particularly as feedyards operate below capacity and seek to stabilize margins. Retailers and food-service buyers are watching closely as well, given that federal intervention in beef pricing may influence flows across both domestic and export channels. A ruling or settlement could set new precedents for oversight of consolidation across livestock markets.
Farm-Level Takeaway: The DOJ’s new antitrust probe could reshape beef-packer behavior, with potential impacts on fed-cattle prices, processor margins, and long-term competition across the supply chain.
Tony St. James, RFD-TV Markets Specialist
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins today issued a new memorandum to modernize and strengthen America’s wildfire prevention and response system.
September 15, 2025 04:56 PM
·
Understanding the Big, Beautiful Bill’s complex impact on SNAP benefits – that’s the topic of today’s Firm to Farm blog post by RFD-TV’s legal expert, Roger McEowen.
September 15, 2025 04:37 PM
·
Missouri Cattle RanchHER Alda Owen joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report to talk about the all-new episode of FarmHER + RanchHER, which premieres on Thursday, Sept. 19!
September 15, 2025 01:26 PM
·
U.S. trade talks with China resume, but meat industry leaders say dealing with shifting demand and market uncertainty is nothing new in this side of the ag sector.
September 15, 2025 12:57 PM
·
Rather than making “cuts” to SNAP, as has been claimed, the One Big Beautiful Bill merely modifies the program’s funding structure.
September 15, 2025 12:50 PM
Year-round sales of E-15 are another major topic on Capitol Hill, which, according to Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), is one issue up for debate this session with significant bipartisan support.
September 15, 2025 12:09 PM
·
September 15, 2025 12:09 PM
Lawmakers have until September 30 to shore up federal spending for next year, or risk a government shutdown. The Farm Bill is also set to expire the same day.
September 15, 2025 11:57 AM
·
American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland joins us to share his reaction to September’s WASDE and discuss the trade uncertainty between China and his industry.
September 12, 2025 02:13 PM
·
