May 11, 2026

Industry groups in US respond to investigation of major beef processors

Industry groups in the United States offered reactions to the Department of Justice's (DOJ) announcement of an investigation into the four largest beef processors in the country.

After the news conference on May 4, the Meat Institute provided information on the current meat landscape and the market forces facing its members.

"We agree with the Trump Administration that a competitive meat and poultry industry that sustains rural communities is essential," said Julie Anna Potts, president and chief executive officer of Meat Institute. "As Secretary Rollins said (on May 4), 'facts are clear: America's cattle herd is at its lowest level since the 1950's.' USDA data describes exactly what's happening in the beef and cattle markets: beef packers continue to pay feeders and cattle producers record-breaking prices because there are not enough cattle to meet strong consumer demand for beef. As a result, beef packers, large and small, have been losing money nearly every month for the last 18 months."

The trade association did not have a comment on the ongoing DOJ investigation.

Producer group R-CALF USA was represented at the press conference on May 4 by Shad Sullivan, chair of the property rights committee, who spoke after federal officials.

The trade association stated more than 665,000 beef cattle operations have been lost since 1980.

Bill Bullard, CEO of R-CALF USA, also supported the DOJ inquiry and hoped industry members would respond to the request for whistleblowers to come forward and help with the investigation.

"We are extremely grateful that we have an administration that is committed to reforming our markets, reversing the downward trajectory of our cattle inventories and farmers and ranchers, and ensuring that consumers are not forced to pay monopoly-controlled prices for their beef," Bullard said.

- Meat + Poultry