PHOENIX, AZ – Last week, member leaders of two general farm organizations and three livestock groups met to discuss challenges involved in the marketing of finished cattle. The meeting, hosted by the Livestock Marketing Association, found an open and candid discussion on packer concentration, capacity, and oversight. The group also talked about price transparency and discovery, the levels of captive supplies and the need for enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act.
By the end of the meeting leaders of the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Farmers Union, R-CALF USA, and the United States Cattlemen’s Association agreed to take three items back to their respective organizations for consideration.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Encourage investment in, and development of, new independent, local, and regional packers.
(SOURCE: All Ag News)