2024 USDA Agriculture Outlook

You will learn so much about the direction of the USDA as we embrace 2024 in the agricultural industry. One example is the Session on Contracting & Concentration in Livestock Markets. Our dynamic panelists and important subject matter provide LIvestock stakeholders with critical information moving forward.  Its part of elow is a full Agenda for the two-day event on Thursday, February 15th & Friday, February 16th. Register HERE and come join us (either onsite or virtually) as we charge forward 

2024 USDA Agricultural Outlook Forum

 Session Title: Contracting and Concentration in Livestock Markets

 Date: February 16, 2024            Time: 3:30 – 5:00 pm

Session Description:  Focuses on how agricultural contracts are used in livestock markets, concerns about their manipulation in concentrated markets, and their ability to add value to the production process through greater coordination and quality improvement.

Moderator: Dr. James McDonald, Professor, Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Maryland, College Park, MD

Topic 1: Perspectives from Farm Bureau Members on Contracting - Will discuss the role of contracts in livestock marketing and perspectives and concerns of Farm Bureau members regarding concentration in the packing sector.

     Speaker: Bernt Nelson, Livestock Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation, Fairfax Station, VA

Topic 2: Coordinating Production Through Contracting - Will examine the competitive environment surrounding marketing cattle under contracts, including the effect on key contract terms affecting compensation and investment.

     Speaker: Justin Tupper, President, U.S. Cattleman’s Association, Washington, DC

Topic 3: Knowledge Gaps in Understanding Markets with Contracts - Will focus on knowledge gaps in understanding the terms of agricultural contracts, their utilization by producers, and potential problems in markets that are thin or characterized by market power.

     Speaker: Dr. Rachael Goodhue, Professor, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, University of California-Davis

Session organizers:

Sam Bailey        (ERS)

Kelly Nelson      (ERS)

Peyton Ferrier   (AMS - Livestock and Poultry Program)

Kole Swanser    (AMS – Fair Trade Practices Program to edit this placeholder text.