Mandatory weekly reporting for steers and heifers

(a) In general. The corporate officers or officially designated representatives of each steer and heifer packer processing plant shall report to the Secretary on the first reporting day of each week, not later than 9 a.m. central time, the following information applicable to the prior slaughter week, categorized to clearly delineate domestic from imported market purchases:

(1) The quantity of cattle purchased through a negotiated basis that were slaughtered;

(2) The quantity of cattle purchased through a negotiated grid basis that were slaughtered;

(3) The quantity of cattle purchased through forward contracts that were slaughtered;

(4) The quantity of cattle delivered under a formula marketing arrangement that were slaughtered;

(5) The quantity and carcass characteristics of packer-owned cattle that were slaughtered;

(6) The quantity, basis level, basis level month, and delivery month and year for all cattle purchased through forward contracts;

(7) The range and average of intended premiums and discounts (including those associated with weight, quality grade, yield grade, or type of cattle) that are expected to be in effect for the current slaughter week.

(b) Publication. The Secretary shall make available to the public the information obtained under paragraph (a) of this section on the first reporting day of the current slaughter week by 10 a.m. central time.