Iowa Cattleman to Testify at Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

| July 28, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contact: Anna Hastert, Director of Communications, (515) 296-2266

The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee will hold a hearing on competition and the food supply chain this Wednesday, July 28, in Washington, D.C. 

"Beef Up Competition: Examining America's Food Supply Chain"

Wednesday, July 28, 2021 | 1:30 p.m. CT

To watch the hearing live, visit: https://bit.ly/3i3isXL 

The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association will be represented by Jon Schaben of Dunlap, Iowa. Jon and his wife, Julie, operate a commercial cow-calf herd. His family also background and feed out steers and heifers annually. 

Since 1950, the Schaben’s have owned and operated Dunlap Livestock Auction in Dunlap, Iowa. Today, Jon co-owns and operates Dunlap Livestock Auction and West Point Livestock in West Point, Neb., with his brothers Jay and Jim Jr. 

For more than three decades, Jon has supported the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association as a member. He currently serves as a member-leader on the Beef Product Labeling Task Force. 

Jon’s experience as a cattleman, well-known auctioneer, and respected business owner will add immense value to today's hearing.  ICA's testimony will highlight the following primary challenges in the cattle industry:

  1. Lack of price discovery and transparency; 
  2. Meatpacking concentration and competition; 
  3. Captive supply; and 
  4. Price manipulation and exercise of market power. 
Cattle producers deserve a level playing field. We’re asking for a transparent and competitive marketplace to strengthen the beef supply chain. To address the aforementioned challenges, the Department of Justice must provide an update regarding their current antitrust investigation of Cargill, JBS, National Beef, and Tyson. 

Read the full written testimony here.

About the Iowa Cattlemen's Association: The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association represents nearly 8,000 beef-producing families and associated companies dedicated to the future of Iowa’s beef industry. ICA’s mission is “Grow Iowa’s beef business through advocacy, leadership and education.” www.iacattlemen.org.