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
Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with his insights on the incident and a deeper dive into the issues at hand.
September 08, 2025 12:00 PM
·
As the Trump Administration seeks out new global trade partnerships, Congress is considering more support for farmers, which comes as the Federal Reserve warns that farmers need a safety net.
September 08, 2025 11:47 AM
·
Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins will travel to Europe and Asia to seek new trade partnerships for U.S. crops after China reduced imports due to tariffs.
September 08, 2025 11:45 AM
·
The $221 million will help farmers and ranchers cover losses from Hurricane Helene that USDA programs didn’t cover. They’ll focus on infrastructure, markets, timber, and future economic losses.
September 05, 2025 05:09 PM
·
Tom Peterson with the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association says taxpayers are “unfortunate casualties” of this overlay now that the Mexican wolf population is stable under ESA guidelines.
September 05, 2025 01:21 PM
·
Co-Bank Lead Dairy Economist, Corey Geiger, joined us on Friday’s
Market Day Report for a further look at the drop in replacement heifers and the trend’s longterm impact on dairy producers and cattle prices.
September 05, 2025 12:40 PM
·
September 05, 2025 12:09 PM
·
The amendments affect BLM lands in several Western states. Comments on the Sage grouse proposals can be made to the BLM National NEPA Register until Oct. 3.
September 04, 2025 02:16 PM
·
Mike Formica with the National Pork Producers Council joined us on Market Day Report with his reaction to the EPA’s rollback of a Biden-era wastewater discharge mitigation plan.
September 04, 2025 01:41 PM
·
