The free conference was a grass-roots effort sponsored by the Wasatch Back Commission to examine market forces that are threatening the Utah cattle industry. I think that constitutes a crisis. Hatch has introduced a measure that would lift the ban on interstate shipments of state-inspected meat, opening up markets for small, independent meatpackers. Sandy Martin, a spokeswoman for U.S. Rep. Jim Hansen, said he is considering signing on to a House measure that would require packers to report prices they pay for cattle and allow U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman control over anti-competitive practices. Agricultural financial experts predict that as many as 30 percent of America's cattle ranchers face bankruptcy because of low market prices, drought and high feed costs.
Livestock makes up a major portion of Utah's agriculture revenue.
Besides the governor, agricultural leaders from Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Nebraska took part in the summit. Ranching and farming in the seven Wasatch Back counties combines for an average of 13 percent of the total earnings in the counties.