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Cattle market reform bill poised for Senate debate, not farm bill

A member of the U.S. Senate Ag Committee says the 2023 Farm Bill is not the place for cattle market reform.

Republican Deb Fischer of Nebraska tells Brownfield, “I think that would put the farm bill behind the eight-ball.  It would be a longer debate on the farm bill when you have a bill like that on it.”

Fischer says even with stronger cattle prices there is still urgency to get it across the finish line because prices could decline. “We need to continue to put the pressure on so we can get the transparency, get the reforms that are needed in there, so we have the information to make good marketing decisions.”

Fischer says she’s asked Jon Tester of Montana, a co-sponsor, to work with Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to get the bill scheduled, and “to find some floor time to do it or find a vehicle we can put it on.”

The proposal, sponsored by Senators Deb Fischer of Nebraska, Chuck Grassley of Iowa, Ron Wyden of Oregon and Jon Tester of Montana, would establish regional cash minimums, provide more market information and authorize a permanent cattle contract library.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer on cattle market reform legislation: