Farm leaders hoping for worthwhile price reporting bill

The leaders of two Iowa farm organizations hope legislators craft workablelegislation forcing meat-packers to disclose the prices they pay for porkand beef. Critics say packers are paying some farmers more if they’re undercontract to raise livestock exclusively for the packer. Iowa Farm BureauPresident Ed Wiedersteen says his group would rather see”price reporting” enacted nationwide, but if the state requires it, he hopeslegislators will provide the resources to do it right.Wiedersteen doesn’t expect prices to rise if packers are required topublicly disclose the prices they pay for livestock.Iowa Farmers Union President John Whitacker doesn’t believe packers’ threatsto move their plants out of Iowa if the legislature enacts a price-reportinglaw.Legislative leaders say the bill requiring public disclosure of packerpricing MAY pass this year, although they won’t guarantee it.