Decades of consolidation have reshaped America's beef industry. Federal data shows just how much has changed.

Some independent ranchers say decades of mergers and free trade agreements have weakened competition and contributed to the cattle shortage now driving up beef prices.

Over the weekend, just days before what will be the most consequential midterm elections of most of our lifetimes, and most certainly of Donald Trump's entire political career, the president flew into Kansas for the last leg of his "30-rally midterm tour" and essentially looked KS cattle farmers dead in the face and…