GIPSA (Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration) Livestock and Meat Marketing Study. Volume 4. Hog and Pork Industries; Final rept

摘要

Over time, the variety, complexity, and use of alternative marketing arrangements (AMAs) have increased in the livestock and meat industries. Marketing arrangements refer to the methods by which livestock and meat are transferred through successive stages of production and marketing. Increased use of AMAs raises a number of questions about their effects on economic efficiency and on the distribution of the benefits and costs of livestock and meat production and consumption between producers and consumers. This volume of the final report focuses on AMAs used in the hog and pork industry and addresses the following parts of the Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration (GIPSA) Livestock and Meat Marketing Study: Part C. Determine extent of use, analyze price differences, and analyze short-run market price effects of AMAs. Part D. Measure and compare costs and benefits associated with spot marketing arrangements and AMAs. Part E. Analyze the implications of AMAs for the livestock and meat marketing system. This final report follows the publication of an interim report for the study that used qualitative sources of information to identify and classify AMAs and describe their terms, availability, and reasons for use.