The Organization for Competitive Markets has been voicing concern of the increased concentration not only in the meatpacking industry but with ag companies as a whole. The latest concern comes from fines paid by JBS, one of the largest meat packers in the amount of $256 million. O-C-M Executive Director Mike Eby says besides JBS, Pilgrim’s Pride just paid a hefty fine due to a price fixing investigation.

He says his group, O-C-M have joined R-CALF and National Dairy Producers in taking steps to call attention to and address the ag concentration problem.

Eby says one of the latest concerns, O-C-M has become aware of is misuse of several agricultural checkoff programs which is leading to even more concentration.

Eby says what’s happening is just a new creative way to consolidate the marketplace.