Carcass discounts are an important component of grid pricing of fed cattle. Yet, little effort has been made to model the behavior of the primary carcass discounts that vary over time. This paper presents alternative models of the Choice-Select and yield grade 3-4/5 discounts. Besides noting the...

Consolidation in meatpacking has elicited many market power concerns and studies. A noncooperative, infinitely repeated game theory model was developed and an empirical model estimated to measure beef packing firm behavior in cattle procurement. Experimental market data from three semester-long...

Limited information exists regarding the extent and characteristics of branded fresh beef. Retail package data from a sample of grocery stores in three metropolitan areas enabled determining the extent of branded beef for ground beef, roasts, and steaks. Logit models identified factors affecting...

The Fed Cattle Market Simulator (FCMS), an experimental market, was used to estimate impacts from two meatpacking firm mergers. Data were collected from two FCMS workshops with large agribusiness firms. Experimental mergers involved the two smaller packers in the market in one case and the two...

Replaced with revised version of paper 06/04/09.

Consumers reveal preferences for fresh beef attributes through their retail beef purchases. Hedonic pricing methods were used to estimate the value consumers place on observable characteristics of fresh beef products, especially on retail beef brands. Primary data were collected from 65 randomly...

Replaced with revised version of paper 09/01/09.

Integration into meatpacking is a marketing alternative for livestock producers. For those considering such a step, Sterling Colorado Beef Co. provides a valuable learning experience. Feeders willing to commit capital, cattle, and time established the cooperative. Members said primary benefits...

Two surveys of New Generation Cooperative (NGC) managers were carried out to ascertain the factors most important to their success. Factors in the Planning and Development as well as the Financing and Cost categories were most important, and NGCs with more employees and more members' equity are...

Preferential pricing was one of several concerns leading to mandatory price reporting. Seven years of “new” data from mandatory reports are examined to determine if evidence exists of preferential pricing by packers for fed cattle and slaughter hogs. Weekly data show some alternative...