state make a living. For ….

state make a living. For generations, family farmers and ranchers have handed down their operations and fed our nation — but each year it’s getting harder and harder to make those operations pencil — especially for our ranchers.”

Four companies control more than 80 percent of the meatpacking industry for beef.

“A pound of beef at the grocery store costs twice as much as it did 20 years ago, and the big packers are making record profits. Now I’m all for folks making a profit. But with packers making record profits, you’d think that Montana’s ranchers would be getting their slice of the pie. That’s not the case,” Tester said. “The big packers are paying less for cattle, and charging more for their finished product. Producers are getting undercut, and consumers are paying a hefty price at the grocery store. It’s about time that Montana’s producers got paid fairly for their premium product, and it’s time that consumers get a fair shake at the meat counter.”

Tester provided remarks before the Senate Agriculture Committee about the bills. “It looks like we’re going to get them to the Senate floor for a vote. I’m urging all of my colleagues to pass these bills and put them on the president’s desk as quickly as possible,” Tester said.

The senator added, “If we don’t do anything, we know what the results will be. Longtime ranchers will be going out of business.”