The announcement of JBS USA’s $52.5 million settlement over allegations of beef price fixing is deeply disturbing to the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.  NCBA was the first national organization to request a government investigation of beef markets in 2019.

South Dakota Cattlemen’s Association President Eric Jennings says while this settlement was not tied to the Department of Justice’s ongoing investigation they are still upset with the lack of transparency by the government.

However, he says it is still unacceptable that there are settlements occurring without DOJ having released findings or even providing cattle producers with an update on progress.

DOJ has two impending probes from the Holcomb, Kansas fire in 2019 and price discrepancies in the fed cattle markets in 2020.