A Plan for the Direct Marketing of Beef Cattle by Small Producers in the Sioux City Market Area

The dynamic changes which the cattle industry has been undergoing have led to several problems, two of which are discussed in this study. These were: first, the problem of the small cattle producer who is unable to market his animals direct to packers and, therefore, must sell through the terminal market where he often receives a lower total payment than does the large producer who is able to market directly; and second, the problem of the terminal packing plants who, because of the declining number and quality of animals being sold through the terminal market, face increased procurement and operating costs. A third problem which, although not the direct result of changes in the cattle industry, was also discussed in this study deals with the inequity in the present system of pricing slaughter animals on a live basis. This study is a part of the North Central Livestock Research Committee effort under NCM-36. The Committee has undertaken the task of researching these and other problems to provide the modern cattle industry with the information needed to make accurate decisions. Advisor: James G. Kendric