Authors:

Mary Muth,

RTI International

Project Manager for the Livestock & Meat Marketing Study

Gary Brester

Montana State University

Sheryl Cates

RTI International

Shawn Karns

RTI International

Stephen Koontz

Colorado State University

John Lawrence

Iowa State University

Justin Taylor

RTI International

Catherine Viator

RTI International

Tom Vukina

North Carolina State University

Reviewers: Fourteen experts representing 12 LMIC member institutions (university, USDA and Associate) provided independent peer reviews of these fact sheets.  Reviews coordinated by James Robb, LMIC.

Livestock and Meat Marketing Arrangements

Introduction

During the 2002 Farm Bill debate, several pieces of legislation aimed at restricting livestock purchasing practices of packers were introduced. The specific concern focused on marketing arrangements that gave packers control over livestock more than 14 days prior to slaughter, commonly known as “captive supply.” As a compromise, in 2003 Congress requested a study of alternative marketing arrangements (AMAs) that are used as alternatives to the cash market. The resulting GIPSA Livestock and Meat Marketing Study was completed in early 2007. This series of fact sheets provides the history of proposed legislation that would restrict marketing arrangements used for livestock; provides information on the extent of use and reasons for use of different types of marketing arrangements for beef, pork, and lamb; and describes the marketing methods used for meat products downstream from the packer.

Fact Sheets (Adobe Acrobat files)

LM-1  Background on Proposed Legislation on Livestock Marketing Arrangements Legislation

LM-2  Alternative Marketing Arrangements in the Beef Industry: Definitions, Use, and Motives

LM-5  Alternative Marketing Arrangements in the Lamb Industry: Definitions, Use, and Motives

LM-6  Downstream Meat Marketing Practices: Lessons Learned from the Livestock and Meat Marketing Study

Useful Links

GIPSA Livestock and Meat Marketing Study Final Reports

Senate Hearing on Livestock, Poultry and Competition Issues Testimony

United States House of Representatives Hearing on Livestock Industry Market Structure