The South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Board of Directors is backing a proposal to increase the amount of negotiated cash trade within the fed cattle markets. President Scott Edoff says they want it included in national legislation that would require meat packing plants that participate in mandatory price reporting be required to purchase at least 30 percent of the cattle they harvest on a negotiated cash deal.

He says their proposal also would require packers to have no more than 14 days to deliver the cattle they purchase. Edoff also says their board was split on the amount that would need to be purchased, some wanting 30 percent and the rest wanting 50 plus percent but the board settled on thirty percent.

Edoff ways while the thirty days is a good starting point that would hopefully bring more transparency to the cash cattle trade. He says one of the concerns going forward even if it is adopted is there be an enforcement mechanism in any legislation requiring it.

Edoff says his board feels that the 30/14 proposal has a better chance of making it into legislation than does say a 50/14 plan.