Docket Number: AMS-FTPP-22-0046
Effective Date: July 1, 2026
Summary
This final rule by the United States Department of Agriculture's (USDA or the Department) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS or the Agency) amends the Agency's regulations under the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921 (P&S Act or Act). The Act protects fair trade, financial integrity, and competitive markets for poultry. The final rule prohibits certain payment practices under poultry grower ranking systems (commonly known as tournaments) in contract poultry production for broiler chickens, requires live poultry dealers (LPDs) to adopt policies and procedures for operating a fair ranking system for broiler growers, and requires LPDs to provide certain information to broiler growers when the LPD requests or requires the grower to make additional capital investments. These regulations will increase transparency and address deception and unfairness in broiler grower payments, tournament operations, and capital improvement systems.
Contact
S. Brett Offutt, Chief Legal Officer/Policy Advisor, Packers and Stockyards Division, USDA AMS Fair Trade Practices Program, 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250; Phone: (202) 690-4355; or email: s.brett.offutt@usda.gov.
Supporting Documents
- Final Rule - Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems
- FAQs for Poultry Grower Payments Systems and Capital Improvement Systems
- Updated Webinar: Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems Final Rule
- Poultry Grower and Capital Improvement Factsheet (pdf)
- Proposed Rule
- Webinar: Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems Proposed Rule
- Poultry Grower Payment Systems and Capital Improvement Systems Proposed Rule Fact Sheet (pdf)