Broiler Chicken Growers

Hausfeld is court-appointed Co-Lead Counsel on behalf of a class of broiler chicken growers (the farmers that raise chickens for meat) in this antitrust class action.

The Plaintiffs allege that poultry companies formed a nationwide conspiracy to suppress and maintain broiler chicken growers’ compensation below competitive levels, facilitated by an interfirm exchange of detailed information on grower compensation through a data aggregation company and alleged co-conspirator, Agri Stats, Inc. The case alleges violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act and the Packers and Stockyards Act.

The Defendants are Tyson Foods, Pilgrim’s Pride, Perdue Farms, Koch Foods, and Sanderson Farms—the five largest vertically-integrated poultry companies in the country. Motions to dismiss and to compel arbitration were denied in January 2020. The multidistrict litigation is before the Honorable Chief Judge Robert J. Shelby of the District of Utah, sitting by designation in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.

Plaintiffs have reached settlements with Defendants Tyson Foods and Perdue Farms for a total of $35,750,000, which have both been approved by the Court. In addition, Plaintiffs have reached a third settlement with Defendant Koch Foods for $15,500,000, which has been preliminarily approved by the Court. More information about the three settlements, including on the eligibility criteria to receive a payment and on the process for claiming that payment, is available on the settlement website.