Ag News

Livestock organizations discuss challenges in cattle markets

by Livestock Marketing Association

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On May 10, member leaders of American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Farmers Union, R-CALF USA, and the United States Cattlemen’s Association met in Phoenix at the request of the Livestock Marketing Association to discuss challenges involved in the marketing of finished cattle. The goal of the meeting was to bring about a more financially sustainable situation for cattle feeders and cow-calf producers.

The group talked openly and candidly about a wide range of important issues facing our industry today, including but not limited to: packer concentration, price transparency and discovery, packer oversight, Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement, level of captive supply and packer capacity.

The group agreed to take these action items to their respective organizations for consideration these action items:

• Expedite the renewal of USDA’s Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR), including formula base prices subject to the same reporting requirements as negotiated cash and the creation of a contract library;

• Demand the Department of Justice (DOJ) issue a public investigation status report and as warranted, conduct joint DOJ and USDA oversight of packer activity moving forward;

• Encourage investment in, and development of, new independent, local, and regional packers.

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