A farm state lawmaker introduced the Cattle Market Transparency Act of 2020 on Wednesday, calling for restored transparency and accountability in the cattle marketplace. The bill is aimed at facilitating regional negotiated cash minimum prices and providing cattle producers more market information at a time when markets are susceptible to sharp swings because of disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. Concerns have been running high about “packer spreads,” the difference between the amount made by processors compared to the prices for fed cattle marketers. The bill would ensure cash transactions to enable better price discovery for producers in making marketing decisions. The legislation — a good thing for anyone marketing fed cattle if signed into law — comes weeks after USDA wrapped up an investigation into the Holcomb, Kansas, beef plant fire in August 2019 and subsequent market manipulation by processors. See more about the new act.