The Missouri Farmers Union is upset that large meat packers are avoiding buying Missouri livestock. The packers claim they are avoiding Missouri livestock because of the state’s Livestock Marketing Law, which guarantees large and small producers be paid the same price for the same quality of livestock – regardless of quantity. However, the Missouri Department of Agriculture say the law needs to be reworked to attract the big meat packers back into the state. The Department estimates Missouri producers are losing millions of dollars due to a law that was supposed to level the playing field.
