The Senate Agriculture Committee on Wednesday passed the Grassley-Fischer bill on the cattle price discovery and transparency act.  The bill passed the committee on a voice vote with only two senators voting against the measure.  Nebraska Senator Mary Fischer says “the broad support reflects the importance of restoring market fairness so that every segment of the cattle supply chain can succeed.  These reforms are especially needed now at a time when family ranchers and consumers are all struggling to navigate a slow economy and record inflation.”  Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa commented on the passing of the bill.  Grassley says “Iowa cattle producers have struggled to receive a fair price for years, long before inflation hit a 40-year high.  It is past time for Congress to stand with independent cattle producers and put an end to the cozy relationship between large meat packers and big cattle feedlots.”  The National Cattlemen and Beef Association opposes the bill.  However, both the Iowa Cattlemen Association and the Nebraska Cattlemen Association are praising the committee’s passing of the bill.  Iowa Cattlemen Association president, Bob Noble says, “The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is pleased to see both bills move out of the ag committee as a result of Senator Grassley’s steadfast leadership.  The cattle industry has not received this much dedicated attention from lawmakers in a long time.  It’s clear, even in Washington, that cattle market reform is needed now.  We encourage the Senate to pass both pieces of legislation as soon as possible.”  The Senate Agriculture Committee also passed the Meat and Poultry Investigation bill introduced by Montana Senator Jon Tester and co-sponsored by South Dakota Senator, Mike Rounds.