Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack’s inaction has led to the near-destruction of American family ranchers. Over 17,000 family ranches will disappear this year. Over 100,000 family ranchers have left the profession since 2009. It’s a tragedy as world-renowned American beef experiences record-high prices, grocery retailers seize increasing shares of beef dollars, meat packers manipulate the beef market and prices paid to ranchers, and the ranchers are denied the rewards resulting from raising the best cattle in the world. The problem is made worse because government refuses to enforce the antitrust and GIPSA laws enacted over one hundred years ago to protect consumers and ranchers. The ranchers’ trade associations have been commandeered by pharmaceutical companies, meat packers, and multi-national agricultural companies. Ultimately, America’s food security is at risk and the prices you pay will rise as government allows the end of free markets and family ranchers. This is a special report deserving your attention. The printed report is available in the show’s viewer.
Guests: Robert Taylor, Bill Bullard, Dudley Butler, Mike Callicrate
Learn more at: Organization for Competitive Markets
Music Featured:
“Hard Times” – Don Edwards
American History Minute:
Joshua Chamberlain
