Minnesota Farmers Union members have sent a letter to the USDA calling for increased workforce training and expanded slaughter capacity as well as backing for new models of livestock processing. MFU President Gary Wertish says more processing competition is badly needed considering four major packers control over 80 percent of the market.

He’s hoping fhere will be more follow through from the President’s Executive order calling for improved competition in the cattle markets and processing industry.

Wertish says any funding provided by the federal government to improve competition in agriculture needs to go to smaller and medium sized meat processors as well as allowing cattle producers the ability to direct market their livestock.

Wertish says there also needs to be better and increased enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.