Senate approves mandatory price reporting

NCBA Applauds Senate Approval of Mandatory Price Reporting
— NCBA Calls for House to Support Transparency in the Marketplace
National Cattlemen’s Beef Association

WASHINGTON (Aug. 6, 2010) – Well into the evening yesterday, Aug. 5, 2010, the U.S. Senate reauthorized by unanimous consent the Livestock Mandatory Price Reporting Act (LMPR), which was set to expire Sept. 30 of this year. Colin Woodall, vice president of government affairs for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), said the reauthorization will continue to encourage transparency in the marketplace. He said producers have come to rely on the information provided by the LMPR to aid in their negotiation of sales prices for cattle and meat products.

“This mandatory reporting provides U.S. producers with readily understandable and timely information regarding pricing, contracting for purchase, and supply and demand conditions for all segments of the beef industry,” said Woodall, adding that NCBA was part of an industry coalition urging Congress to reauthorize LMPR. “Along with transparency, LMPR encourages competition, without violating producers’ privacy, in the marketplace by substantially increasing the volume of industry sales transactions reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.”

LMPR was signed into law by President Clinton as part of the 2000 Agricultural Appropriations Bill. Prior to 2001, information was collected by observing public auction markets and via voluntary submission by market participants. However, by 1999 many producers had come to notice fundamental changes in the market structure. About 35 percent of fed cattle sales in 1999 occurred via contract agreements that were not covered by USDA reports. Bruce Hafenfeld, California cattle producer and NCBA’s policy division chair, said these unreported transactions hampered producers’ ability to accurately assess livestock prices, negotiate with packers or obtain a fair price when selling their livestock. He said LMPR augments producers’ knowledge base when making marketing decisions by providing them with pricing and sales information from transactions around the country.

“As a producer of food and fiber for a growing global population, I appreciate the Senate’s efforts to help continue the availability of timely and accurate information for U.S. cattle producers. By reauthorizing mandatory price reporting, cattle producers will continue to have access to daily price and volume information on purchases of cattle and boxed beef sales as well as export and import data,” Hafenfeld said. “This effort to enhance transparency in the marketplace is a definite win for every aspect of the industry.”

Woodall said LMPR now needs approval from the U.S. House of Representatives. He said NCBA will continue to urge the House to reauthorize LMPR before it expires next month.

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The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) has represented America’s cattle producers since 1898, preserving the heritage and strength of the industry through education and public policy.  As the largest association of cattle producers, NCBA works to create new markets and increase demand for beef.  Efforts are made possible through membership contributions. To join, contact NCBA at 1-866-BEEF-USA or [email protected].


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