---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 U.S.C. § 1635e"
title: "7"
title_heading: "Agriculture"
number: "1635e"
heading: "Mandatory reporting for live cattle"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/7/1635e"
units:
  - "Chapter 38 — Distribution and Marketing of Agricultural Products"
  - "Subchapter II — Livestock Mandatory Reporting"
  - "Part B — Cattle Reporting"
---

# §1635e. Mandatory reporting for live cattle

- (a) **Establishment—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) shall establish a program of live cattle price information reporting that will—
  - (1) provide timely, accurate, and reliable [market](/usc/7/198.md?p=1) information;
  - (2) facilitate more informed marketing decisions; and
  - (3) promote competition in the cattle slaughtering industry.
- (b) **General reporting provisions applicable to packers and the Secretary—**
  - (1) **In general—** Whenever the prices or quantities of cattle are required to be reported or published under this section, the prices or quantities shall be categorized so as to clearly delineate—
    - (A) the prices or quantities, as applicable, of the cattle purchased in the domestic [market](/usc/7/198.md?p=1); and
    - (B) the prices or quantities, as applicable, of imported cattle.
  - (2) **Packer-owned cattle—** Information required under this section for [packer-owned cattle](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=6) shall include quantity and carcass characteristics, but not price.
- (c) **Daily reporting—**
  - (1) **In general—** The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each [packer](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=5) processing plant shall report to the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) at least twice each reporting day (including once not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time and once not later than 2:00 p.m. Central Time) the following information for each [cattle type](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=2):
    - (A) The prices for cattle (per hundredweight) established on that day, categorized by—
      - (i) [type of purchase](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=8);
      - (ii) the quantity of cattle purchased on a live weight basis;
      - (iii) the quantity of cattle purchased on a dressed weight basis;
      - (iv) a range of the estimated live weights of the cattle purchased;
      - (v) an estimate of the percentage of the cattle purchased that were of a quality grade of choice or better; and
      - (vi) any premiums or discounts associated with—
        - (I) weight, grade, or yield; or
        - (II) any [type of purchase](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=8).
    - (B) The quantity of cattle delivered to the [packer](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=5) (quoted in numbers of head) on that day, categorized by—
      - (i) [type of purchase](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=8);
      - (ii) the quantity of cattle delivered on a live weight basis; and
      - (iii) the quantity of cattle delivered on a dressed weight basis.
    - (C) The quantity of [cattle committed](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=1) to the [packer](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=5) (quoted in numbers of head) as of that day, categorized by—
      - (i) [type of purchase](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=8);
      - (ii) the quantity of [cattle committed](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=1) on a live weight basis; and
      - (iii) the quantity of [cattle committed](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=1) on a dressed weight basis.
    - (D) The [terms of trade](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=7) regarding the cattle, as applicable.
  - (2) **Publication—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) shall make the information available to the public not less frequently than three times each reporting day.
- (d) **Weekly reporting—**
  - (1) **In general—** The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each [packer](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=5) processing plant shall report to the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2), on the first reporting day of each week, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the following information applicable to the prior slaughter week:
    - (A) The quantity of cattle purchased through a [forward contract](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=4) that were slaughtered.
    - (B) The quantity of cattle delivered under a [formula marketing arrangement](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=3) that were slaughtered.
    - (C) The quantity and carcass characteristics of [packer-owned cattle](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=6) that were slaughtered.
    - (D) The quantity, basis level, and delivery month for all cattle purchased through [forward contracts](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=4) that were agreed to by the parties.
    - (E) The range and average of intended premiums and discounts that are expected to be in effect for the current slaughter week.
  - (2) **Formula purchases—** The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each [packer](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=5) processing plant shall report to the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2), on the first reporting day of each week, not later than 9:00 a.m. Central Time, the following information for cattle purchased through a [formula marketing arrangement](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=3) and slaughtered during the prior slaughter week:
    - (A) The quantity (quoted in both numbers of head and hundredweights) of cattle.
    - (B) The weighted average price paid for a carcass, including applicable premiums and discounts.
    - (C) The range of premiums and discounts paid.
    - (D) The weighted average of premiums and discounts paid.
    - (E) The range of prices paid.
    - (F) The aggregate weighted average price paid for a carcass.
    - (G) The [terms of trade](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=7) regarding the cattle, as applicable.
  - (3) **Publication—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) shall make available to the public the information obtained under paragraphs [(1)](#d-1) and [(2)](#d-2) on the first reporting day of the current slaughter week, not later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time.
- (e) **Regional reporting of cattle types—**
  - (1) **In general—** The [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) shall determine whether adequate data can be obtained on a regional basis for fed Holsteins and other fed dairy steers and heifers, cows, and bulls based on the number of [packers](/usc/7/1635d.md?p=5) required to report under this section.
  - (2) **Report—** Not later than 2 years after October 22, 1999, the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) shall submit to the Committee on Agriculture of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the Senate a report on the determination of the [Secretary](/usc/7/499a.md?p=b-2) under [paragraph (1)](#e-1).

## Source credit

(Aug. 14, 1946, ch. 966, title II, § 222, as added Pub. L. 106–78, title IX, § 911(2), Oct. 22, 1999, 113 Stat. 1191.)