A group of Attorneys General from 11 states — including Iowa —  are asking the U-S Department of Justice to start a federal investigation into suspected national price-fixing by meatpackers in the cattle industry.  Iowa Attorney General spokesman, Lynn Hicks notes live cattle prices are the lowest they have been in years.  He says only one side is benefiting — and it is the meatpackers.

The letter was issued on the same day that the Hy-Vee grocery store chain says it will start limiting the purchase of meat products to be prepared for any possible fluctuations in the product.  Hy-Vee says in a statement that they have products available at stores –but due to worker shortages at plants as well as an increase in meat sales, customers may not find the specific items they want. Beginning Wednesday, each customer will be limited to four packages of a combination of fresh beef, ground beef, pork, and chicken.