Livestock legislation would end anti-competitive pricing

     In a move that could help independent cattle producers who have labored for several years under unfair pricing practices, the Senate will consider legislation to level the livestock playing field.
     The proposed Livestock Marketing Fairness Act, introduced May 20 by four U.S. Senators would:
     . Require forward contracts for cattle, hogs and lambs be traded in public markets
     . Require marketing agreements to have a firm base price derived from an external source
     . Exempt producer owned cooperatives, packers with low volumes and packers who own only one processing plant
     . Ensure that trading is done in quantities that provide market access for both small and large livestock producers

     The legislation would amend the Packers and Stockyars Act of 1921 to end anti-competitive forward marketing contracts, restoring a measure of fairness between packer-owned herds, and farmers and ranchers.
     The bill is sponsored by U.S. Senators Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, and Tim Johnson, D-S.D.
     Iowa's Grassley said it will help producers. "Family farmers can compete with anybody if there's a level playing field. Unfortunately, all too often they are working with one arm tied behind their backs, because they are at the mercy of the big packers.
     "Our bill works to create a healthy, competitive environment for small and large producers and packers by bringing transparency to the marketplace and ending manipulative behavior," said Grassley.
     National Farmers is awaiting details on the legislation.