Cattle producers and live cattle futures traders may now be eligible to claim part of an $83.5 million settlement following preliminary court approval in a major antitrust lawsuit involving leading U.S. meatpackers.
On February 20, 2025, the court granted preliminary approval of the settlement between the Cattle Plaintiffs and JBS, one of the companies named in the In re: Cattle and Beef Antitrust Litigation. Filed in 2019, the lawsuit alleges anti-competitive behavior by JBS, Tyson, Cargill, and National Beef that harmed the cattle market.
Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?
Two groups are eligible to participate in the settlement, subject to certain conditions and exclusions:
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Cattle Sellers: Individuals or businesses in the U.S. that directly sold fed cattle for slaughter to JBS, Tyson, Cargill, or National Beef between June 1, 2015, and February 29, 2020 (excluding those who sold under a cost-plus or profit-sharing agreement).
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Futures Traders: Those who held a long position in live cattle futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) before June 1, 2015, and closed that position through an offsetting transaction before November 1, 2016.
The deadline to submit claims is September 15, 2025.
How to File a Claim
The official settlement website, www.CattleAntitrustSettlement.com, provides full details on eligibility, instructions for filing, and options for objecting or opting out of the settlement. All information submitted by claimants will be kept confidential and will not be shared publicly or with the defendants.
Support and Legal Representation
The Cattle Plaintiffs are represented by the law firms:
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Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP
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Cafferty Clobes Meriwether & Sprengel LLP
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Robins Kaplan LLP
The court has appointed a Claims Administrator to assist with questions and guide class members through the process. Support is available by phone at 1-844-435-8844 or by email at Info@CattleAntitrustSettlement.com.
Eligible cattle feeders and traders are encouraged to review the settlement information and submit claims before the September 15, 2025 deadline.
