# § 1635e. Mandatory reporting for live cattle
**(a)** **Establishment** 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)** **General reporting provisions applicable to packers and the Secretary**
**(1)** **In general** 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)** **Packer-owned cattle** Information required under this section for packer-owned cattle shall include quantity and carcass characteristics, but not price.
**(c)** **Daily reporting**
**(1)** **In general** 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)** **Publication** The Secretary shall make the information available to the public not less frequently than three times each reporting day.
**(d)** **Weekly reporting**
**(1)** **In general** 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)** **Formula purchases** 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)** **Publication** 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)** **Regional reporting of cattle types**
**(1)** **In general** 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)** **Report** October 22, 1999
Not later than 2 years after , 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).
---
**Source Credit**: (Aug. 14, 1946, ch. 966, title II, § 222, as added Pub. L. 106–78, title IX, § 911(2), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1191.)