§ 1635e. Mandatory reporting for live cattle

• (a) The Secretary shall establish a program of live cattle price information reporting that will—
  • (1) provide timely, accurate, and reliable market information;
  • (2) facilitate more informed marketing decisions; and
  • (3) promote competition in the cattle slaughtering industry.
• (b)
  • (1) Whenever the prices or quantities of cattle are required to be reported or published under this section, the prices or quantities shall be categorized so as to clearly delineate—
    • (A) the prices or quantities, as applicable, of the cattle purchased in the domestic market; and
    • (B) the prices or quantities, as applicable, of imported cattle.
  • (2) Information required under this section for packer-owned cattle shall include quantity and carcass characteristics, but not price.
• (c)
  • (1) The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant shall report to the Secretary at least twice each reporting day (including once not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time and once not later than 2:00 p.m. Central Time) the following information for each cattle type:
    • (A) The prices for cattle (per hundredweight) established on that day, categorized by—
      • (i) type of purchase;
      • (ii) the quantity of cattle purchased on a live weight basis;
      • (iii) the quantity of cattle purchased on a dressed weight basis;
      • (iv) a range of the estimated live weights of the cattle purchased;
      • (v) an estimate of the percentage of the cattle purchased that were of a quality grade of choice or better; and
      • (vi) any premiums or discounts associated with—
        • (I) weight, grade, or yield; or
        • (II) any type of purchase.
    • (B) The quantity of cattle delivered to the packer (quoted in numbers of head) on that day, categorized by—
      • (i) type of purchase;
      • (ii) the quantity of cattle delivered on a live weight basis; and
      • (iii) the quantity of cattle delivered on a dressed weight basis.
    • (C) The quantity of cattle committed to the packer (quoted in numbers of head) as of that day, categorized by—
      • (i) type of purchase;
      • (ii) the quantity of cattle committed on a live weight basis; and
      • (iii) the quantity of cattle committed on a dressed weight basis.
    • (D) The terms of trade regarding the cattle, as applicable.
  • (2) The Secretary shall make the information available to the public not less frequently than three times each reporting day.
• (d)
  • (1) The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant shall report to the Secretary, on the first reporting day of each week, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the following information applicable to the prior slaughter week:
    • (A) The quantity of cattle purchased through a forward contract that were slaughtered.
    • (B) The quantity of cattle delivered under a formula marketing arrangement that were slaughtered.
    • (C) The quantity and carcass characteristics of packer-owned cattle that were slaughtered.
    • (D) The quantity, basis level, and delivery month for all cattle purchased through forward contracts that were agreed to by the parties.
    • (E) The range and average of intended premiums and discounts that are expected to be in effect for the current slaughter week.
  • (2) The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each packer processing plant shall report to the Secretary, on the first reporting day of each week, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the following information for cattle purchased through a formula marketing arrangement and slaughtered during the prior slaughter week:
    • (A) The quantity (quoted in both numbers of head and hundredweights) of cattle.
    • (B) The weighted average price paid for a carcass, including applicable premiums and discounts.
    • (C) The range of premiums and discounts paid.
    • (D) The weighted average of premiums and discounts paid.
    • (E) The range of prices paid.
    • (F) The aggregate weighted average price paid for a carcass.
    • (G) The terms of trade regarding the cattle, as applicable.
  • (3) The Secretary shall make available to the public the information obtained under paragraphs (1) and (2) on the first reporting day of the current slaughter week, not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time.
• (e)
  • (1) The Secretary shall determine whether adequate data can be obtained on a regional basis for fed Holsteins and other fed dairy steers and heifers, cows, and bulls based on the number of packers required to report under this section.
  • (2) Not later than 2 years after October 22, 1999 , the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the determination of the Secretary under paragraph (1).