Bracken Marburger, who operates Milano Livestock Exchange with his family in Milano, Texas, says current requirements are outdated.
“The Packers and Stockyards Act is well over 100 years old now,” he said. “And we just don’t do things the same way we did back in 1921.” Bracken explained at that time, terminal stockyards received cattle from producers on railcars. Individuals acting as commission agents represented these cattle to packers. Today, livestock markets utilize a competitive auction method. Auction markets provide an open and public forum for producers to sell their animals to the highest bidder, allowing for competition and true price discovery. Many of the auctions are also streamed online.Â
Members also urged Congress to update Packers and Stockyards Act prompt payment requirements due to slowing mail service and a desire to incentivize electronic payment as the more efficient method.
Mark Barnett, Livestock Marketing Association president, said it was a productive trip and he’s grateful for all who took part.
Members who participated in the fly-in were Justin and Cody Tupper, South Dakota; Nicholas Hayes, South Dakota; Larry and Judi Schnell, North Dakota; Katelyn Chaffee, North Dakota and Montana; Daniel O’Donnell, North Dakota and Montana; Lander Nicodemus, Wyoming; Wesley Kilmurry, Nebraska; Kirk Otte, Nebraska; Erin Zoucha, Nebraska; Rich and Alicia Robertson, Nebraska; Joe and Barb Nelson, Minnesota and Iowa; Austin Schaben, Iowa; Cale and Nicole James, Oklahoma; Scott and LeDona McCornack, Oklahoma; Blaine and Haley Ragan, Oklahoma; Ben and Aimee Hale, Oklahoma, Texas and Iowa; Bracken and Stephanie Marburger, Texas; Jayde Baumeister, Texas; Mandy Geistweidt, Texas; Jim Akers, Kentucky; Steve Sterchi, Kentucky; Jennifer and Mark Houston, Tennessee; Mark and Betty Barnett, Kentucky and Tennessee; Jacob Massey, Tennessee; Chad Fleenor, Tennessee; Michael and Carter Simpson, Tennessee;  Mike VanMaanen, Missouri; David and Heidi McComb, Kansas and Oklahoma; Mason Winter, Kansas; Jake Parnell, California; Michael Imbrogno, California; Alisha Hudson-Roach, Virginia; and Brian Glick, Pennsylvania.
