Posted on 07/10/2021 6:33:33 PM PDT by sockmonkey
DES MOINES, Iowa — The federal government promised Friday to spend $500 million to encourage the construction of smaller meat processing plants located closer to farmers who raise chickens, pigs and cows with the goal of diversifying an industry now largely run by a small number of large corporations.
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the program in Council Bluffs, Iowa, in addition to another $150 million to be used for existing small processing facilities with unexpected costs. The goal is to help them recover from the coronavirus pandemic and compete better in the marketplace.
Vilsack said he wants to improve profitability for livestock farmers and better serve consumers who increasingly want to know where and how farm animals are raised. “This is a once in a generation opportunity to transform the food system so it is more resilient to shocks, delivers greater value to growers and workers, and offers consumers an affordable selection of healthy food produced and sourced locally and regionally by farmers and processors from diverse backgrounds,” he said.
Last year, the coronavirus pandemic shut down significant portions of the nation’s meat processing capacity when the virus spread quickly among workers at processing plants. The production bottleneck forced some pig farmers to euthanize animals when they couldn’t find facilities to process them. It prompted a discussion about the dangers of a highly consolidated meat production industry in which processing takes place in a few large-scale plants owned by a handful of the largest meat producing corporations.
(Excerpt) Read more at kcci.com ...
Help build? NO!!! Just make them legal, clear out regulations and stay the hell out of the way.
Of course, the devil could be in the details.
No! If the government “helps build” then they are in charge. Just get out of the way!
Feds are trying to take over everything. This is the socialist way. Once they do this, they run the show.
It sounds like a good idea to me, but considering this administration and the way democrats are always trying to do something to destroy America, it makes me wonder why they are doing it, what their ulterior motive is.
Put a 25 year no sale clause in the contract and see if they still want to build.
Friends of mine who are generational cattle ranchers were hit hard by the closures of restaurants, and processing plants. They had to scramble, and change their entire operation/business model to keep afloat.
They use two small processors, one of whom is the first USDA-inspected, custom red meat processor in Central Texas in four decades.
Waste of money.
Well can you figure another way to compete with these food processing megacorporations? I worked on a pork processing plant in Sioux City, IA a few years ago. It was absolutely massive and cost $450 million. At some point we need to make it possible for smaller and local companies to compete. Otherwise big business and government will not only OWN the means of production, but also all the farms, livestock, fruits and vegetables which means we will have no choice but to eat what they allow us to have or purchase.
Good idea or not I’m having a hard time finding where in the enumerated powers of the Constitution that the federal government is to be in the business of choosing to, and executing, the reconstruction of markets
I can’t find it either. Every time one of the leftards sticks an appendage across the line delimiting fedgov power, we need to lop it off with a blunt instrument.
And you have a ready supply of cheap labor!
A local Angus farmer I know has started a very lucrative venture with his beef
Uses a small local processor and sells subscriptions to buyers. And sells at
You can choose different cuts and packages ranging from $25 on up to whole beef and whether you want it weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly
They deliver fresh right to your doorstep
If you want a whole or partial beef, payment plans can be made and you get it cut and packaged when you pay the balance due
He’s already booked for bulk buys until next spring
Looks like moving them out of DC to Kansas city did some good!
.
it will just be wasted money.
Our area has several small meat processing plants serving local farmers. Their problem isn’t demand - they are sold out. Their problem is finding workers.
*** Our area has several small meat processing plants serving local farmers. ***
My area does not. What state are you in?
These are the same people who want to abolish meat consumption by the proletariat.
That should tell you everything you need to know about their little anti-capitalist scheme.
*** A local Angus farmer I know has started a very lucrative venture with his beef
Uses a small local processor and sells subscriptions to buyers. And sells at
You can choose different cuts and packages ranging from $25 on up to whole beef and whether you want it weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly ***
Sounds good, and similar to my friend’s plan. Right now, they have boxes with roasts, sirloins, etc for about $4.14 a lb. That is for choice plus cuts.
If there are no meat processing plants in your area and you think there is enough livestock production to support one, then you should take advantage of the opportunity by starting one.
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