In the aftermath of the fire at the Tyson beef plant in Kansas, the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association is urging USDA and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission to watch for any market manipulation. In a letter to Administration leaders, NDSA voiced concern about traders who illegally capitalize on this market disruption and further depress cattle prices. “We just want to reiterate how important it is to watch the trade,” says NDSA Past President Warren Zenker. The organization is also asking federal authorities to waive hours-of-service rules for livestock haulers who will be moving cattle longer distances to other markets. “You figure 30,000 extra head a week moving north, that’s a lot. For us in North Dakota, we want to have a market and a facility to go to where cattle are going to be bid aggressively.” Listen to the story.