JBS, the world’s largest meat packer has left the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. NCBA Vice President and South Dakota Cattle producer Todd Wilkinson of DeSmet says JBS told them they didn’t like NCBA requesting a Justice Department Investigation into the prices cattle producers are getting versus what packers are getting and to see if there’ any illegalities going on.

He says the organization needs to take into account what’s best for the producer and how to protect them.

Wilkinson says there are a segment of cattle producers who don’t feel JBS should be in NCBA and have a seat at the table. He also says it’s JBS’s choice to disagree with NCBA, it’s also the organization’s right to part ways with them.

Wilkinson says NCBA joined several other cattle groups who all want investigation into why packers are making enormous profits at the expense of independent cattle producers. He says its way past time for prior investigations to yield information on those issues.