 The USDA announced new action on the Stockyards and Packers Act. It says the fair and competitive livestock and poultry markets proposed rule would tackle longstanding challenges around interpretations of unfairness and competitive injury for the livestock, meat, and poultry sectors. However, the National Cattlemen's Beef Association issued a statement against the rule. NCBA Vice President of Government Affairs Ethan Lane called it a direct attack on cattle producer profitability. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.