rancher

Last week, he asked the Justice Department to investigate meat-packing companies over their possible role in driving up beef prices, after other recent proposals to lower prices sparked backlash among ranchers.

JBS’ North America beef business, on the other hand, faced pressure as dry weather pushed ranchers to scale back the size of their herd.

The U.S. cattle herd has been shrinking for years owing to drought and rising costs for ranchers.

But his other recent proposals to lower prices sparked backlash among ranchers.

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association warned at the time that such a move "undercuts the future of family farmers and ranchers."