This document discusses the decline of independent cattle producers and rural communities due to consolidation in the meatpacking industry and the shift to a globalized food system. It provides statistics showing that since 1980, cattle producers' share of the retail beef dollar has decreased by 20% as packers and retailers have captured more profit. Four packers now control 88% of the market. The poorest U.S. counties are in rural cattle producing areas. Globalization favors large multinational corporations over independent farmers and local communities.