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About the Swine Contract Library
The Livestock Mandatory
Reporting Act (LMRA), which provided GIPSA with authority to collect
information posted on this site, expired September 30, 2005. After that date, packers were no
longer required to submit contract information to GIPSA, although GIPSA asked them to continue
doing so voluntarily. The LMRA was reauthorized on October 5, 2006. However, submission
of contract information continues to be voluntary until GIPSA regulations can be reissued.
Since October 1, 2005, contract information for the Swine Contract Library has been submitted on
a voluntary basis. As a result, GIPSA cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of the
information provided through this program on or after that date.
Features and Benefits - FAQ
Who will provide information for the swine contract library?The swine contract library requirements apply to packers who purchase at least 100,000 swine per year and slaughter at packing plants with a federally inspected slaughter capacity of 100,000 swine or more per year. This covers approximately 51 plants owned or used by approximately 32 packers. We expect the overall number of plants and firms to remain relatively constant, but the specific firms required to report will vary with consolidation and construction in the industry.These packers are required to provide example contracts and monthly reports specifying the number of swine committed and the maximum number of swine to be delivered over the next 12 months by contract type.
What information from the swine contract library will GIPSA make available to the public?
We will use the contracts as the source of information that will be made available to producers and other interested persons. The contracts themselves or other proprietary information will not be made available in conformity with the confidentiality restrictions of the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act. We will summarize the information by region and contract type. We will present the information we receive in four categories: base price determination, premiums and discounts, application of ledger, and other provisions. The full report will be available for printing. GIPSA will provide a monthly report of estimated deliveries by contract types as reported by packers for public release on the 1st business day of each month.
How will information from the swine contract library help producers?
Interested parties, primarily producers, may use the summarized information that we provide from the contract library to determine the range of options in contracts offered by packers. The producer could identify the contract provisions of interest and approach packers or plants within the region to negotiate a contract. Although producers would not know which packers are offering any of the provisions listed in the summarized information or how those provisions would be combined in any contract, the knowledge that those provisions exist in the marketplace could result in the producer conducting additional searches for contracts, agreements, or provisions that result in a more favorable transaction for the producer. The information from the monthly report on the number of swine contracted for future delivery will aid producers in deciding how many sows to breed and deciding whether to search out packers in regions where smaller numbers of swine are known to be contracted for delivery.
How will GIPSA make information from the swine contract library reports available to the public?
The information is available on this web site and in the GIPSA Regional Office in Des Moines, Iowa.
Do I need to provide swine contract information?
You must submit contracts and monthly reports if you are a packer purchasing at least 100,000 swine per year and slaughtering swine, or having swine slaughtered, at a federally-inspected swine processing plant that meets either of the following conditions:
Review the Code of Federal Regulations for further details.
How are example contracts chosen?A packer will determine if a contract qualifies as an example contract if it differs from other contracts with respect to any of the following criteria:
How are verbal contracts documented?
Verbal contracts must be documented with written descriptions for all terms. GIPSA has developed a Verbal Contract Optional Documentation Sheet, which outlines a basic set of contract terms.
Where and how are contracts and monthly reports submitted?
Submit example contracts, notification of expired or withdrawn contracts, and monthly reports to:
Use one of the following formats for electronically submitted example contracts and attachments:
Why can't I view the Contract Summary Report or Monthly Summary Report?
If you have difficulty viewing any information on this website, refer to the System Requirements page for compatible web browsers and setting information. If this information does not solve the problem, please contact the SCL staff.
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