By: Jon Henry, Opinion Contributor

On November 7th, President Donald J. Trump directed the Department of Justice to investigate monopolistic practices in the beef industry. This decisive action builds on earlier efforts to strengthen agriculture’s role in national security (July 8, 2025) and a targeted beef industry action plan (October 20, 2025). These steps answer the urgent call from farmers across Middle Tennessee and the nation. But more needs to be done; much more.

The Tennessee Farm Bureau appropriately addressed a critical issue in its 2024 Resolutions, “Our current antitrust laws often do not work or are not being enforced; thus, we need an effective, adequately enforced antitrust policy”.  A 2025 Farm Action report reveals that just four companies control 85% of beef, 67% of pork, and 60% of poultry markets. This concentration is particularly alarming, threatening open market opportunities and putting independent farmers at risk. 

Today, only 20% of finished cattle are sold through open markets with 80% traded through non-disclosed Alternative Marketing Arrangements (AMA).  Feeder and stocker cattle trade predominantly in open markets but are heavily influenced by corporate dominance at the finished beef chain.  The “big four” companies controlling 85% of processing exert immense force, dictate terms that squeeze independent farmers and limit true competition. 

An effective antitrust investigation is long overdue. Senator Josh Hawley of Missouri should be commended for his inquiries in June 2025 and we need to thank investigative organizations for their work in exposing the pressures facing our farmers. Interviews and data consistently show that independent farmers are being squeezed by monopolies controlling both their inputs and their markets. Those farmers and their families are the vital economic foundations for our rural communities across the country.

Since 2017, 150,000 farms have closed, and the U.S. cattle herd is at its lowest since 1951. For the first time in history, the United States is a net food importer. Many of the largest corporations controlling agricultural inputs and products are foreign-owned or controlled. 

When small family farms close, the impact on our rural communities is devastating. The domino effect on other small businesses leads to other closures. And the next generation leaves our small towns to seek job opportunities elsewhere.

All of this contributes to the high cost of groceries for Tennessee families, especially beef prices. President Trump‘s recent announcement to reduce tariffs on certain items like beef, coffee, tomatoes and bananas will certainly help. 

But we can’t Make America Great Again without enacting policies that make our farm communities stronger and more economically secure again. And the sooner we do that, the better for all of us.

Jon Henry is a Smith County farmer, Marine Vet and Republican candidate for Congress in Tennessee’s Sixth District. www.henryforcongress.com