R-CALF, the nemesis of the Canadian beef industry because it prompted several tariffs, is suing the four largest beef packers in the United States.
It claims they got together to influence cattle prices and they said they have testimony from a former employee that backs their claims of collusion.
The lawsuit is against Tyson Foods, Inc., JBS S.A., Cargill, Inc., and National Beef Packing Company, LLC, and certain of their affiliates, who collectively purchase and process more than 80 per cent of the U.S.’s fed cattle.
R-CALF and the four ranchers are represented by Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP, a national antitrust and securities litigation firm, along with Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP.
The four cattle feeders are from Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, and Wyoming.
They said the companies influenced prices since 2015, both in the live cattle and futures markets.
Canada eventually won the tariff cases, but each time it cost millions in legal and consulting fees and temporarily depressed prices for Canadian cattle and beef.
