NOBULL: BEEF CHECKOFF FEUD EXPOSES DIVIDE WITHIN CATTLE INDUSTRY

Beef checkoff feud exposes divide within cattle industry

Sale barns like the Green City Livestock Market in central Missouri are where some cow-calf operators sell their stock up the industry foodchain. (Photo by Peggy Lowe, Harvest Public Media)

Listen to this story

Frank Morris and Peggy Lowe, Harvest Public Media

December 20, 2012 – 6:30am

Some cattle producers claim four enormous packing companies are trying to control the entire beef system. Others say cooperation between ranchers and packers improves the industry. The dispute has come to a head over what’s called the Beef Checkoff.