USDA is taking steps to improve transparency in the cash cattle market. A new regional report will combine negotiated cattle prices from Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and New Mexico. The change comes as negotiated cash trade has dropped from more than 50 percent of cattle transactions in 2005 to less than 18 percent last year. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association welcomes the move, saying it will provide producers with more market information. USDA says the new report will use existing data and will not require additional reporting from meatpackers.
