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Alternative Marketing Arrangements and Cattle Prices: Insights from Hotelling’s Model

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  • Moschini, GianCarlo
  • Smith, T. Jake

Abstract

This paper analyzes a Hotelling duopsony model with location-based price discrimination and procurement contracts pegged to the average spot-market price. This setup captures key features of US beef processors’ procurement of cattle supplies, which relies heavily on (controversial) spot-price contracts known as Alternative Marketing Arrangements. We show that use of these contracts increases the equilibrium price markdown in the market; and, as spot-price contracts become more prevalent, the markdown increases at an increasing rate. Both of these conclusions also apply to the standard case of uniform mill pricing.

Suggested Citation

  • Moschini, GianCarlo & Smith, T. Jake, 2025. "Alternative Marketing Arrangements and Cattle Prices: Insights from Hotelling’s Model," 2025 AAEA & WAEA Joint Annual Meeting, July 27-29, 2025, Denver, CO 360825, Agricultural and Applied Economics Association.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:aaea25:360825
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.360825
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Lederer, Phillip J & Hurter, Arthur P, Jr, 1986. "Competition of Firms: Discriminatory Pricing and Location," Econometrica, Econometric Society, vol. 54(3), pages 623-640, May.
    4. Anderson, Simon P. & Thisse, Jacques-Francois, 1988. "Price discrimination in spatial competitive markets," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(2-3), pages 578-590, March.
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