991042 Land O'Lakes Applauds Price Reporting BillOctober 16, 1999Arden Hills, MN - The Agricultural Appropriations bill passed by Congress on October 13 included a provision requiring livestock packers to submit daily reports to USDA on purchases of hogs and beef. According to Land O'Lakes, that amendment will provide livestock producers with up-to-date price information to help them better decide when and how to market their livestock. As the debate on the ag appropriations bill moved forward, Land O'Lakes had supported a package of cash payments to hog producers. The final bill only included a modest amount for direct payments. But key pork industry supporters in Congress insisted on including the mandatory price reporting provision. “This was a bipartisan idea that had broad support among farmers,” commented Steven Krikava, director of government relations for Land O'Lakes. “As a cooperative owned by producers, we applaud the conference committee's decision to include the provision in the ag appropriations bill.” Overall, the bill provides $8.7 billion for US farmers. It includes $1.2 billion for disaster assistance payments. Land O'Lakes is a national food and agricultural cooperative owned by farmers, ranchers and local cooperatives in 29 states. It is a leading marketer of dairy products across the U.S.; serves international customers with a variety of food products and animal feed ingredients; and provides family farmers and member cooperatives with an extensive line of feed, seed, plant food and crop protection products.
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