Packer
The Covid-19 pandemic greatly effected the food supply chain. With another surge on the rise, consider ways to expand market opportunities and minimize disruptions during these times.
The Biden administration and some cattle groups blame meat industry concentration for producers getting a smaller share of consumer dollars for beef than they did decades ago. The Meat Institute disputes such claims.
The developer of a new beef processing plant targeted for western Iowa says the project expects to receive funding from the Biden Administration’s recently announced Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Action Plan.
Absenteeism at major packing plants due to coronavirus has again helped create a backlog of market-ready fed cattle. Packers used that fact to push fed cattle prices lower last week.
Labor issues continue to plague the packing industry with this week’s slaughter volume lighter than anticipated. Worker absenteeism due to COVID has hindered packers’ ability to run full throttle and prices suffered.
Developers of Cattlemen’s Heritage Beef Company are seeking investors for a proposed $450-million beef packing facility to be built in western Iowa south of the Omaha/Council Bluffs area.
Is the Biden Administration’s plan for the beef industry workable, or does it ignore the economics of market structure and pricing across the meat industry supply chain?
The Biden Administration’s Action Plan to invest $1 Billion to expand competition in the U.S. meat packing industry and strengthen enforcement of antitrust regulations drew mixed reactions from cattlemen.
The Biden Administration unveiled a new, four-pronged action plan to aid independent meat processors, strengthen the Packers & Stockyards Act, and issue new “Product of USA” labeling rules.
The Biden Administration’s $1 billion Action Plan unveiled Monday to aid farmers, ranchers and consumers would do none of the above, according to the North American Meat Institute.
Packers needed cattle last week and pushed the cash market higher as the holiday-shortened weeks came to a close.
Cattle feeders anticipated cash cattle prices would be softer since packers were working with holiday-shortened hours last week. Packers will need cattle this week to fill full-week schedules.
Cash bids were scarce last week with packers facing shortened slaughter schedules the next two weeks. Cash prices were $2 lower in all regions.
Economic advisors to the White House suggested Friday that America’s large meat packers have used their market power to drive up consumer prices while underpaying farmers resulting in a huge jump in net profits.
Cattle feeders found softer demand from packers last week, resulting in a $2 per cwt. decline in cash prices. Holiday slaughter schedules the next couple of weeks will likely prevent any price gains until the new year.
Tyson Foods said Monday it will give approximately $50 million in year-end bonuses to its frontline, hourly workers. These one-time bonuses will be based on tenure and range from $300 to $700.
Higher prices for cash fed cattle has helped cattle feeders gain currentness and improve their market leverage over the past four weeks.
While Cargill and the United Food and Commercial Workers Union appear to have avoided a labor strike at the High River, Alberta, beef plant, a shut-down could produce significant disruptions to the U.S. cattle market.
Proposal for a small beef processing plant in north-central Kansas gained approval from county commissioners on Wednesday despite some strong local opposition.
A tentative agreement between Cargill and its unionized workers at the High River, Alberta, beef processing plant has been reached, avoiding a possible strike on December 6, 2021.
Packers have margin to spread back upstream to the feedlot sector at their discretion, and it appears that their need to fulfill orders for high-quality product for upcoming holidays is likely a motivating factor.
Cargill has served notice of a lockout for employees at its High River, Alberta, beef plant if the company and union employees do not reach an agreement before a December 6, deadline.
The week before a holiday is not usually ideal for pushing the market higher, but last week proved to be just the right combination to support a rally.
Missouri Cattlemen’s Association welcomes American Foods Group’s plans to build a new, 2,400-head per day beef processing facility in the Show-Me state.
Warren County, Missouri, has been selected by American Foods Group (AFG) as the planned location for a new state-of-the-art beef processing facility, pending final approval.
The cash fed cattle market found its way higher again last week, with four or more packers in the market all fighting for cattle every week for the first time in two years.
United Food and Commercial Workers union is asking for reasonable wage increases along with assurances for the health and safety of workers.
Last week cattle feeders found themselves in an environment they had not seen since August of 2019. Four packers were in the market competing for the cattle that were available on the list.
Brazilian meatpacking giant JBS SA says it will use Bovaer, a feed additive to reduce methane emissions in its global supply chains.
A small meat processing facility is gearing up for a big expansion—and the potential to make waves in the national livestock processing scene. Republic Foods expects to quadruple production by the end of the year.