“Price discovery” and “transparency” have certainly been two trigger words in the cattle industry lately. The discussion on improving those issues in the cattle markets certainly picked up when USDA released a report highlighting the investigation of the boxed beef and fed cattle price spread. During a panel discussion at the North Dakota Stockmen’s Association Convention, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Director of Government Affairs & Market Regulatory Policy Tanner Beymer said a solution is in the works from the organization. “A subgroup has developed a framework by which we can measure negotiated trade volumes and packer participation in negotiated trade. Further details on that are forthcoming.” Beymer added while this isn’t a silver bullet solution, it will hopefully be something to measure against. At the end of the day, there are still concerned producers out in cattle country. “Those cattle producers want change,” said Beymer. “We know that times are tough right now and appreciate all feedback as we try to find real solutions for cattle producers of all sizes.”