Representatives of the cattle industry spoke with members of the Senate Agriculture Committee at a hearing this week. National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Jennifer Houston was asked by South Dakota Senator John Thune about the market volatility which hit following the fire at a Kansas Meatpacking plant.

She says it’s positive the USDA is investigating the volatility that occurred following the fire and has full confidence the agency will find out the facts.

Montana rancher Shane Eaton representing the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association says one of his major concerns is the lack of transparency that occurred following the fire and the resulting price drop.

He says there are specific steps that need to be taken to avoid this type of volatility and price drop in the future.

Following the meatpacking plant fire, prices paid to cattle producers dropped dramatically while retail beef prices went higher.