Proposed GIPSA rule called ranchers' bill of rights

Washington Ag Today November 18, 2010 The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association sees the proposed rule on livestock marketing from USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration as a bill of rights for farmers and ranchers. That description is from the U.S.C.A.’s Jess Peterson who spoke in support of the proposed rule at the recent Washington Cattlemen’s Association convention. Peterson says the GIPSA proposal helps clarify what violations and injury are.

Peterson: “If you are not getting prices, if you are not getting access to a market based on special agreements going on around you because of large bulk contracts of cattle going in, and your prices are being pressured down and you are breaking laws. The anticompetitive nature of it coming back to hurt the cattle producer.”

Critics of the proposed rule say it is government intervention into the livestock markets. Peterson sees it differently.

Peterson: “It is not government intervention. It is more like it is giving the rules, providing clarificaton, and having referees call the game with rules and clarifications.”

Now a report from Stockland Livestock: “This is Jack McGuiness with Stockland Livestock here in Davenport talking to you ranchers. At our sale here this past week a big run of cattle, 21-hundred head. Strong market on all weights and classes. Plenty of demand for the light weight steers and heifer calves up to a $1.45 for these cattle in the 400-500 pound range. Heifers of all weights and classes trading 10-15 cents behind the steers. Some of these seven-weight steers up by a $1.15. Several nice strings of cattle on the market. Lots of consignors and lots of activity around the market here this past week. Cattle sales every week. We are selling cattle this Monday. All classes will sell. We will feature our stocker and feeder cattle at one o’clock. Sales every Monday. Under new ownership, Stockland Livestock.

Thanks Jack.

I’m Bob Hoff on Northwest Aginfo Net.

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