Trump Strengthens U.S. Cattle Industry and DOJ Investigates Record Beef Prices
From the Western Ag Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**President Trump signed two executive orders aimed at strengthening the U.S. cattle industry.
USDA says one order directs stronger enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act and calls for USDA to coordinate with the Justice Department on livestock-market competition.
It also directs USDA to expand programs allowing more state-inspected meat to move across state lines and additional assistance to small processors.
The other directs mandatory examination of country-of-origin labeling for beef.
**Escalating attacks affecting grain vessels and port infrastructure in the Black Sea continue to inject a geopolitical premium into U.S. grain prices.
Corn futures eased slightly Friday after recently reaching three-year highs, while wheat remained supported by concerns over global grain availability.
For U.S. farmers, prolonged Black Sea disruptions could increase demand for American corn and wheat, but the situation also means substantially greater market volatility.
**The Department of Justice is expanding its investigation into record-high beef prices, widening its review to include eight major grocery chains.
According to Meatingplace, the retailers involved are Kroger, Walmart, Albertsons, Costco, and Amazon, and three others.
According to Fox Business, DOJ letters sent to the companies seek information on beef pricing strategies, profit margins, operating costs, and purchasing arrangements dating back to 2020.
