Formula focus of quarrel: Packers' attorneys claim producers' calculations about prices too simplistic.

From: American News (Aberdeen, SD) | Date: April 4, 2006 | Copyright information

Byline: Scott Waltman

Apr. 4--Whether the price of boxed beef largely dictates what meat packers will pay for live cattle is a heavily disputed point in a federal court case in Aberdeen. Three cattlemen who believe boxed beef is the primary factor in what packers will give them for their animals have sued the nation's four largest packers. They claim the companies knowingly used erroneous U.S. Department of Agriculture information to pay less for live cattle in spring 2001. The trial started Friday at the federal courthouse. The first witnesses were called Monday.

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