The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has launched a public database aimed at providing cattle producers with more bargaining power in negotiations with meat processing companies.

The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service has established a cattle contracts library, where it will collect, maintain and report aggregated information on contracts between meat processors and cattle producers.

The library will include information on commonly used terms in US cattle contracts, contract specifications for things such as quality, yield, weight, delivery, and more, as well as the full range of premiums and discounts used in determining the final price.

The library will also display the number of head of cattle moving through current contracts, volume information by contract specification, and more.

The information will be submitted by larger US packers such as Cargill, Tyson Foods, JBS, and National Beef Packing Co. This will enable cattle producers to negotiate better terms, monitor risks, and take advantage of market opportunities to produce cattle in demand.

The library is a part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s focus on transforming America’s food system and promoting fair markets for all producers.