Butterball to Invest a Total of $8.7 Million in Two Arkansas Processing Facilities

Butterball, one of the largest producers of turkey products in the United States, announced that it is investing a combined $8.7 million and creating a total of 360 new jobs within three years in two processing facilities in Northwest Arkansas. The expansion includes a $4.7 million investment in Ozark where the company will create 160 jobs and a $4 million investment in Huntsville where it will create 200 new jobs.

“Having been a longstanding employer in Arkansas through our feed mills, turkey growing operations and production facilities, Butterball appreciates the continued support from the state of Arkansas as we look to...

Plumrose USA Announces Rebrand to Swift Prepared Foods

Plumrose USA, a branded packaged meat company and subsidiary of JBS USA announced that it is rebranding to become Swift Prepared Foods. This shift better aligns the heritage and future direction of the company, with a significant focus on innovation and prepared foods.

“Swift Prepared Foods represents our company’s promise to provide customers and consumers with diverse brands and a variety of food solutions,” said Tom Lopez, President, Swift Prepared Foods. “This shift positions us for success as we focus on...

Tyson Foods Partners with Matrix to Ensure Employees have Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine

Tyson Foods is partnering with Matrix Medical Network, a leading clinical services company, to ensure the company’s U.S. team members are educated about and have access to the COVID-19 vaccines.

Matrix will collaborate with Tyson Foods’ health services team to deploy mobile health clinics and expert clinical staff to support vaccine communications, administration and counseling at Tyson Foods facilities beginning in early 2021 and continuing throughout the year. Tyson Foods will provide team members with...

Anti-Meat Activist Poses as Smithfield Foods CEO on National Television 

Last week, animal activist Matt Johnson of Direct Action Everywhere, posed as the CEO of Smithfield Foods during a national television interview with Fox Business host Maria Bartiromo. On December 23, 2020, Bartiromo thought she was speaking with Smithfield Foods CEO Dennis Organ. However, she and her audience were being misled. 

During the interview, Johnson blamed animal agriculture for new infectious diseases and made false claims that the Centers for Disease Control has data proving that the livestock industry would...

Hormel Foods Opens its Newest Production Facility

Hormel Foods Corporation, a global branded food company, announced the opening of its newest production facility, Papillion Foods, located in Papillion, Nebraska, which will make dry sausage products for the company.

"We are excited to be opening up this facility to not only help meet the demand for our branded sausage products, but also provide fantastic career opportunities in our community," said Ed Finnegan, Papillion Foods plant manager. "We've been able to...

Strong October for Pork and Beef Muscle Cut Exports; Variety Meat Trends Lower

U.S. pork exports posted broad-based gains in October, solidifying 2020’s record pace, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef muscle cut exports were also higher than a year ago in October, though lower variety meat volumes pushed total beef exports slightly below last year.

October pork exports were up 8% year-over-year to 242,536 metric tons (mt), with value also increasing 8% to $641.1 million. Through the first 10 months of the year, exports were 15% ahead of last year’s record pace at 2.46 million mt, with value up...

Tyson Foods Goes on Offense Against New Waves of COVID-19 with Safety Measures, Testing

Tyson Foods, Inc. reports it is preparing to fight new waves of the coronavirus as it takes comprehensive protective steps, including the strategic testing of workers without symptoms.

The company has invested $540 million to transform its U.S. facilities with protective measures, from walk-through temperature scanners and workstation dividers to social distance monitors and always-on testing, as well as provide additional team member pay and benefits. It is also working with...

After Healthcare Workers, Essential Meat and Poultry Workers High Priority for COVID Vaccine

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) urged federal authorities to highly prioritize COVID-19 vaccination for the men and women who work in the meat and poultry industry, following healthcare workers and those in long term care facilities.

Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts commented:

"The men and women of the meat and poultry industry help keep America’s grocery stores stocked and our farm economy working. They should be...

ANALYSIS: Australian Beef and Veal Exports to USA Hit Record Low in November

This week the Australian Department of Agriculture (DAFF) reported total beef and veal shipments to the United States at...

Rabobank Global Animal Protein Outlook 2021: Emerging From a World of Uncertainty

After a year full of uncertainties, global animal protein is expected to rise again, as it looks for opportunities.

In 2021, Rabobank anticipates production growth in most regions, with the biggest change taking place in Asia, where the impacts of African swine fever (ASF) are fading. Pork is expected to lead that growth – with a gradual recovery process, as ASF is still active. Poultry and aquaculture are also forecast to grow, followed by beef. Wild-catch seafood, however, is expected to decline.

Global animal protein trade continues to create areas of opportunity and risk, with China...

Tyson Foods Announces Plans for Additional Production Facilities for Its International Business

Tyson Foods, Inc. announced plans to build new production facilities in China and Thailand, and expand its facility in the Netherlands. The latest expansions, adding over 100,000 metric tons of fully cooked poultry capacity, build on the company’s global growth strategy to become the leader in protein by serving emerging markets and strategic customers.

“Global population and income growth will continue to drive an increased need for protein,” said Dean Banks, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “These investments allow us to increase our in-country operations and global export capabilities, helping us bring more safe, high-quality protein for...

Pork Exports Remain on Record Pace Through September; Beef Exports Trend Lower

September exports of U.S. pork increased 10% year-over-year, keeping 2020 exports on a record pace, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were fairly steady with last year in major Asian markets but trended lower overall.

Pork exports reached 222,475 metric tons (mt) in September, with value increasing 6% to $563.2 million. Through the first three quarters of the year, exports were 16% ahead of last year’s record pace in both volume (2.22 million mt) and value ($5.69 billion). The increases were even stronger for pork muscle cuts, jumping 22% to 1.87 million mt valued at...

Red Meat Muscle Cut Exports Strong in August; Variety Meats Trend Lower

August exports of U.S. beef and pork muscle cuts were above last year’s strong volumes, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Variety meat exports were lower than a year ago, due in part to the lack of available labor required to harvest and export some items.

Led by record-large demand in South Korea and Taiwan, beef muscle cut exports were the largest in more than a year at 89,148 metric tons (mt), up 3.5% year-over-year, while export value increased slightly from a year ago to $611 million. Combined beef/beef variety meat exports were 109,752 mt in August, down 4.5% from a year ago. Export value was $673.8 million, down...

ANALYSIS: Lamb and Mutton Production Hit All-Time Lows

Yearly production has continued to lessen for lamb and mutton on the domestic front due to diminished interest in...

The Case for Capacity: Can the U.S. Beef Industry Expand Packing Capacity?

Rabobank’s analysis suggests that an additional 5,000 to 6,000 head daily beef packing capacity would help return US cattle supplies and packing capacity to an historical equilibrium without a sharp contraction in beef cow numbers, while still maintaining packer profitability.

Recent supply chain disruptions in beef packing and processing have amplified the discussion surrounding the need for and feasibility of US beef packing capacity expansion. Adding packing capacity would result in both a larger US beef industry over the long run and more balanced profitability throughout the supply chain. If the US can avoid...

Sanderson Farms Releases 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report

Sanderson Farms, Inc. has released its 2019 Corporate Responsibility Report detailing the company's commitment to social and environmental responsibility. This year, Sanderson Farms introduced reporting using the standards set forth by the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) for the meat, poultry, and dairy sector.

"At Sanderson Farms, we believe strongly that we cannot fulfill our corporate purpose without conducting ourselves with total integrity," said Joe F. Sanderson Jr., chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Sanderson Farms. "We hope these disclosures will provide decision-useful information to...

Smithfield Foods to Become Carbon Negative by 2030

Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced a commitment to becoming carbon negative in all company-owned operations in the United States by 2030. A leader in sustainability for more than two decades, the company will go beyond carbon neutrality to effectively remove more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits. It will achieve this goal without purchasing carbon credits to offset emissions.

"As the world grapples with environmental challenges impacting our planet, consumers are looking to companies to take deliberate, bold action to address issues such as climate change," said Kenneth M. Sullivan, president and chief executive officer, Smithfield Foods. "The world is at an inflection point. To feed a growing world population, with finite resources available to grow and produce the food we need, we must...

Pork Exports Trend Lower in June but Remain on Record Pace; Another Tough Month for Beef Exports

June exports of U.S. pork fell below year-ago levels for the first time this year but exports remain on a record pace in 2020, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were down sharply from a year ago in June, reflecting a lingering impact of a temporary slowdown in beef production combined with restrictions on foodservice and weakening economies in major import markets. June lamb exports trended higher, posting the second largest totals of 2020.

“We expected that the interruptions in red meat production would continue to weigh on June exports, but anticipated more of a rebound from the low May totals – particularly for...

Production Challenges, Economic Headwinds Slow Red Meat Exports in May

U.S. beef and pork exports trended lower in May, due in part to interruptions in slaughter and processing, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports dropped well below year-ago levels and recorded the lowest monthly volume in 10 years. Pork exports remained higher than a year ago but were the lowest since October 2019.

“As protective measures related to COVID-19 were being implemented, plant disruptions peaked in early May with a corresponding temporary slowdown in exports,” said USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom. “Unfortunately the impact was quite severe, especially on...

America’s Meatpacking Facilities Operating More than 95% of Capacity Compared to 2019

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today applauded the safe reopening of critical infrastructure meatpacking facilities across the United States. As of this morning, across the cattle, swine, and broiler sectors, processing facilities are operating more than 95% of their average capacity compared to this time last year. In fact, beef facilities are operating at 98%, pork facilities are operating at 95%, and poultry facilities are operating at 98% of their capacity compared to the same time last year.

America’s meatpacking facilities are safely resuming operations following President Trump’s Executive Order directing the facilities to implement the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidelines specifically created for...

ANALYSIS: Pork Butts See Significant Pressure After Memorial Day

Substantial pressure continues to be noted throughout the fresh pork complex with bone-in butts seeing considerable losses in just...

NAMI's Response to New York Times' "End of Meat" Op-Ed

Like many sectors of the economy, meat and poultry production has been challenged during the COVID crisis. This leads to the popular pundit sport of writing the industry’s eulogy. The most recent comes from vegetarian and author Jonathan Safran Foer here in the New York Times. Safran Foer says COVID-19 has shown that for Americans, the end of meat is here.

From the start of the pandemic, it was clear meat is essential to Americans. Consumers were flooding grocery stores and buying necessities. Meat was among the few key items, like toilet paper and hand sanitizer, which they bought immediately and in historically high quantities. Meat continues to experience...

The Trip Back to 'Normal' Slaughter Levels

Tuesday, May 26th, was a relative milestone for the hog industry as of late. The day’s kill was estimated at 405,000 head, the first time daily slaughter reached the 400,000 mark since April 17th. While this is a small victory, it is a victory nonetheless for an industry that has seen a precipitous drop in chain speeds due to COVID-19. The last time hog slaughter was near ‘normal’ was the week ended April 18th. Just two months ago, the industry achieved the largest daily hog slaughter on record at 500,879 head. As worker absenteeism and plant shutdowns disrupted chain speeds drastically during the last week of April, daily kill dropped to as low as 267,367 head, nearly 47% off its peak. 

It has been a slow but steady climb back to ‘normal’ slaughter levels. The improvement in production capabilities during the latest five weeks has helped nudge last week’s kill to over 2 million head. Early indications for this Saturday’s slaughter are pushing... 

Technomic: Supply Chain Issues Likely to Continue

As news of outbreaks within the food supply chain spread, restaurant operators started to grow wearier of their prospects. Concerns about commodity spikes and/or shortages are compounding the negative outlook operators already had because of the impact of shelter-in-place orders and consumer changes in behavior. Operators are taking extraordinary measures to ensure the health and safety of their staff and customers alike, as many recognize the failure to do so could lead to rebound in contagion rates, put their staff in danger and undermine their growth.

The good news is that curbside, drive-thru and limited takeout appear to be growing to levels that are allowing sustainable levels of sales to occur for...

Consumers Continue to Purchase Meat from Restaurants and Retail Despite Coronavirus Concerns

Fear of the unknown proved to be true when observing consumers’ reaction to the emergence of COVID-19. When the virus first made its way to the United States, panic ensued. Grocery store shelves were depleted, and necessities like toilet paper were nowhere to be found. Consumers have come accustomed to finding resourceful solutions and are willing to be more flexible than ever before.

However, the coronavirus has thrown yet another curveball, with many meatpacking plants either temporarily closing or reducing operations. While consumers have stocked up on meat, there seems to be less panic this time around.

When Datassential asked consumers what best describes the way they eat today, nearly 69% described themselves as...

NPPC Supports Livestock Provisions of Heroes Act

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) expressed strong support for livestock agriculture provisions in the Heroes Act introduced by the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations. These provisions include funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide:

• Compensation for euthanized livestock that can’t be processed into the food supply due to COVID-related packing plant capacity reductions. This fact sheet provides an overview of the current challenge faced by U.S. pork producers.
• Expanded direct payments to livestock famers who have suffered severe losses as COVID-related market disruptions have caused the value of...

The Consumer Perspective on the Potential Meat Shortage 

As warnings of a potential meat shortage seem to dominate headlines, consumers may begin to panic buy and stockpile proteins in case supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 lead to empty meat cases at the grocery store. While retailers did see aisles that include toilet paper, paper towels, and cleaning products wiped out at the height of the pandemic, it is possible that consumers have already purchased meat products in bulk.

According to a recent survey conducted by Datassential, about 77% of consumers have at least one week's supply of meat on hand. This is followed by 26% having enough meat in the home to last about two to three weeks. Only 7% of respondents have run out of meat and will be purchasing more. Additionally, some shoppers purchased enough meat to last...

Jennie-O Turkey Store to Reopen Willmar Facility

Jennie-O Turkey Store, Inc., announced that it has reopened its Benson Avenue facility, in Willmar, Minn., following a voluntary pause due to impact of COVID-19 in the area. The company restarted operations yesterday with a core group of team members and plans to ramp up production over the next few days.

Steve Lykken, president of Jennie-O Turkey Store said, “We remain committed to our industry-leading efforts to maintain and enhance safety protections for our team members and this community. We are glad to be reopening this facility and are working on our plans for reopening our other facilities including another location in Willmar and in Melrose, both in Minnesota. We have put the safety of our staff first throughout this pandemic and...

Smithfield Foods to Reopen Sioux Falls, South Dakota Facility

Smithfield Foods, Inc. announced that it will begin resuming operations in Sioux Falls, S.D. today after receiving positive confirmation from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) that the company is in full compliance with all CDC and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) guidance. The company will take a phased approach to resuming its operations. The harvest floor will reopen on May 11, 2020 and the company anticipates that the facility will be fully operational by late May.

Testing, which is being administered by the State of South Dakota, is available to all Smithfield employees prior to returning to work. To date, over 2,000 employees have been tested. More tests will be conducted in the coming weeks as...

Revisiting President Trump's Execuctive Order - What Has Changed?

Last Tuesday, President Trump signed an executive order urging the nation’s meat processing plants to remain online. As we revisit this order eight days later, the revolving door of plant openings and closures continues. At the start of this week, Tyson warned that it expects more plant closures to occur this year as the industry grapples with ongoing labor absenteeism due to COVID-19. On Monday, Tyson reported that its fiscal second-quarter net income fell 15% from the year prior (several of the company’s plants remain shuttered). Other packers including JBS, Smithfield, and Cargill are similarly affected by labor shortages. Hog processing capacity is being slashed to nearly half, while cattle processing capacity is running at about two-thirds of normal operating speeds. Last week’s estimated hog kill at...

Tyson Fresh Meats to Resume Waterloo, Iowa Operations

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., the beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc. announced it will resume limited production at its Waterloo, Iowa facility on Thursday, May 7. Team members have been invited to tour the facility Wednesday to view the enhanced safety precautions and protective social distancing measures installed throughout the plant.

The reopening of the facility follows a tour of the plant by Black Hawk County health officials, Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart, Black Hawk County Sheriff Tony Thompson, UFCW Local 431 President Bob Waters and other local business leaders and a subsequent joint company and...

Tyson Foods to Resume Operations in Pasco, Washington 

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., the beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc., will resume limited production at its Pasco, Washington, beef facility. The facility temporarily idled operations on April 23 to test its team members for COVID-19.

Team members were asked to self-isolate until their results returned. The company worked with local health officials to verify test results, which were communicated to team members. Team members who tested positive will only return to work once they have met the criteria outlined by the CDC for...

APHIS Establishing Coordination Center to Assist Producers Affected by Processing Plant Closures

American livestock and poultry producers are facing an unprecedented emergency due to COVID-19, particularly with the closing of meat processing plants in several states. USDA is leading the federal response by working in coordination with the Vice President’s Task Force, the CDC, OSHA, Department of Labor, industry, state and local governments, and others across the federal family to mitigate the impacts of COVID-19 on producers.

We will continue to seek solutions to ensure the continuity of operations and return to production as quickly, safely and as health considerations...

Pilgrim’s Pride Reports Q1 2020 Results 

Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation reports first quarter 2020 financial results.

First Quarter Highlights

• Net Sales of $3.07 billion.
• Net GAAP Income of $67.3 million, including one-time $0.09 per share gain on case settlement.
• Operating Income margins of 4.4% in U.S., -7.3% in Mexico and 2.8% in Europe operations, respectively.
• Adjusted EBITDA of $165.5 million, or a 5.4% margin.
• Strong focus in execution and dedication by our team members, combined with portfolio strategy of differentiated products, strong Key Customer relationships, and diversified global footprint reducing volatility of specific market conditions, especially under unprecedented Covid-19 impact at end of first quarter...

JBS USA Announces Limited Reopening of Worthington Pork Facility to Assist Producers

JBS USA announced a limited reopening of the Worthington, Minn., pork production facility to provide producers with a humane euthanasia option for market hogs during the coronavirus pandemic. Recent U.S. pork plant closures and reduced production levels at pork processing facilities across the country have left American producers with few options for market-ready hogs. Humane depopulation and proper disposal is the unfortunate last resort for some producers.

“While our focus is on getting the Worthington facility back to work on behalf of our team members producing food for the nation, we believe we have a responsibility to step up when...

Tyson Fresh Meats Temporarily Pausing Production at Dakota City, Nebraska, Beef Plant

Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc., the beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc., is currently winding down production and will temporarily pause operations Friday, May 1 through Monday, May 4 at its Dakota City, Neb., beef facility to complete a deep cleaning of the entire plant. The company has been working closely with the local health department and is also in the process of screening plant team members for COVID-19 this week, with assistance from the Nebraska National Guard.

The facility, one of the largest beef processing plant in the country, employs a workforce of 4,300 and normally produces enough beef in one day to feed 18 million people, however...

What President Trump's Executive Order Might Mean for Meat Processing Plants

Labor shortages due to the coronavirus are sharply reducing chain speeds at processing facilities across the nation. On Sunday, Tyson Foods published a full-page ad in several major newspapers (which is also available on their website) saying “the food supply chain is breaking,” while warning that “millions of pounds of meat will disappear from the supply chain." Shortly after the foreboding ad was released, President Trump took a drastic measure to combat a potential meat shortage that some industry leaders warn of.

On Tuesday, the President signed an executive order that urges meat-processing plants to remain open. Using the Defense Production Act, the order mandates the Secretary of Agriculture to... 

Industry Reacts to President Trump’s Executive Order to Keep Meat Plants Operating 

President Trump intends to sign an executive order to ensure meat processing plants remain open during the coronavirus pandemic. The executive order will call on the Defense Production Act recognizing the facilities as a part of the United States’ critical infrastructure. This comes as concerns rise that the food supply chain will be disrupted as the virus spreads.

Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute, said, “By keeping meat and poultry producers operating, the President's Executive Order will help avert hardship for agricultural producers and...

Is America Headed Towards a Meat Shortage?

Price gouging. Panic buying. Meat shortages. These phrases have dominated recent talk about the nation’s overall meat supply as a wave of plant closures and worker absenteeism rattle the supply chain and generate logistical hurdles. Increasingly, industry participants and consumers alike are uttering the unnerving question: Is America on the cusp of a nationwide meat shortage?  

There are many factors at play when assessing the current supply and demand patterns in the midst of a pandemic. Notably, a second wave of panic buying, and the subsequent run-up in wholesale values, has recently...