Livestock and Meat Market Arrangements

Introduction

During the 2002 Farm Bill debate, several pieces of legislation aimed at restricting the 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

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

USDA’s “GIPSA Rule” on Livestock and Poultry Marketing Practices

GIPSA Livestock and Meat Marketing Study Final Report 2007