A group of large retailers and wholesalers has filed suit against the Big Four packers.
The claims are similar to those of Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund, United Stockgrowers of America (R-CALF USA), the group said.
“Those claims are that the packers’ efforts to jointly manage their slaughter volume and their cattle purchasing practices caused beef prices to rise while also pushing cattle prices lower,” R-CALF USA said in a news release.
The U.S. District Court held a hearing and decided to group those claims with the 2019 suit from R-CALF USA and the National Farmers Union. The plaintiffs’ motion for class certification is due in August 2023, when the ag industry groups will ask the court to certify that their claims should proceed on behalf of feeders who sold cattle to the Big Four and those who traded live cattle futures or options, R-CALF USA said.
“If the Court grants that motion everyone who did sell fat cattle to one of the Big 4, or traded live cattle, would be included in Plaintiffs’ proposed class, without the need to file separate suits or engage separate legal counsel,” the group said.
