More than 650 farmers, slaughterhouse workers, lobbyists and executives gathered for a hearing on competition in agriculture that will help shape how the Obama administration redraws its antitrust policy after decades of industry consolidation.

Attorney General Eric Holder and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, sitting side by side to open the hearing, called the workshop an unprecedented act of cooperation between their agencies.

``I think you will see an historic era of erations like Monsanto Co., Archer Daniels Midland Co. and Tyson Foods Inc., which producers say wield unprecedented power over food production. Industry groups worry that new laws or big antitrust lawsuits could punish companies in the midst of a recession and stifle innovation and investment.

Holder and Vilsack said it's not clear yet what actions will ultimately result from the five hearings, which will examine competition in the dairy, seed, meatpacking and crop production.

But they said itnt decline in the number of people living in rural America.''

The hearings play to a long-brewing sense of powerless and frustration in small towns that was on display Thursday night at a farmer's rally near the site of Friday's hearing. More than 200 people packed a small ballroom and chanted: ``Bust up big ag'' as speakers took to the podium and told stories.

``If we can't get justice from the Department of Justice, where are we going to get it?'' asked Garry Klicker, a farmer from Blooexamine competition in agriculture<

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)