From some of the reading I've been doing, I understand this captive supply arises in the context of the cattle sector, which is referring to practices whereby beef packing corporations own or control cattle on feed and finished cattle--in effect feeding themselves the cattle they need. I am curious about the degree to which they are allowed to manipulate the price that farmers are receiving by holding cattle in their own pens. Does it create a stress on the prices farmers receive? In your opinion, what if anything should be done about that?
On February 26th, 2009. See this statement in context.