The Final Rule establishing Livestock Mandatory Reporting (LMR) for wholesale pork became effective on January 7, 2013. Pork processing plants covered by this regulation are required to submit price and volume information for all pork sales transactions to AMS in accordance with the requirements of the regulation.

Consistent with the language in the Comments and Responses section of the Final Rule regarding a transition period from voluntary pork reporting, AMS has been publishing reports reflecting information collected under this mandatory program on a one-week delayed basis since January 14, 2013.

Following several consultations with members of the Negotiated Rulemaking Committee and the pork industry regarding the transition from voluntary to mandatory reporting, it was agreed that AMS will begin publishing the mandatory pork reports on a current day basis beginning April 1, 2013. In addition, it was further agreed that AMS would develop a progressive plan for moving the delay in publishing from one week to one day prior to April 1. This transition plan can be found in the latest Notice to the Trade at: www.ams.usda.gov/porkreports.

Please contact Bill Sumpter at 515-284-4460 or william.sumpter@ams.usda.gov for more information.