Pennsylvania

JBS Announces Closure of Pennsylvania Beef Processing Facility

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 18:02:56 GMT

JBS USA announced June 12 the planned closure of two facilities in Pennsylvania and Tennessee. In a news release, the company emphasizes its commitment to supporting those affected as it makes targeted changes to strengthen operations for the future.

The closures include:

Beef production facility in Souderton, Pa. — a suburb of Philadelphia. The single-shift plant employs about 1,700 people and can slaughter approximately 2,000 head per day.
Value-added facility in Memphis, Tenn.

“These decisions are never easy because they directly affect our team members and the communities where we operate,” says Wesley Batista Filho, CEO of JBS USA. “We are deeply grateful to the team members at these facilities for their efforts and contributions over many years. Our focus right now is on supporting them with transparency, respect, and access to new opportunities wherever possible.”

JBS USA is implementing transition plans that include:

Opportunities for team members to apply for open roles at other company facilities across the U.S.
On-site support and resources to assist team members through the transition.
Continued engagement with local stakeholders and workforce partners.

The company says these actions are part of a broader strategy focused on growth, modernization and long-term competitiveness in the U.S.

“Over the past year, JBS USA has made significant investments in new facilities and improvements across the United States, including major expansions in Texas, Georgia and Iowa,” the company says in the news release. “These projects are focused on growing our prepared foods and value-added capabilities, modernizing operations and enhancing the company’s ability to serve customers in the years ahead.”

Earlier this year, JBS USA combined its beef and case-ready businesses into a more integrated platform designed to improve efficiency, enhance productivity and expand value-added capabilities across its network.

“JBS USA is investing heavily in the United States and in the future of food production,” Filho says. “At the same time, we must ensure our operations are efficient, modern and positioned to compete. By investing where we are growing and making difficult adjustments where needed, we are building a stronger and more resilient company.”

Derrell Peel, Oklahoma State University Extension livestock marketing specialist, says, the JBS announcement is the next industry casualty.

“Not really a surprise given the continuing industry losses,” he summarizes. “I don’t expect much general market impact.”

He says the closure does not change the overall industry balance or eliminte the excess capacity given cattle numbers.

“However, the regional impacts could be more serious,” he stresses. “The northeast is a unique, somewhat isolated regional market. It’s not clear what the future plans are — is the plant permanently gone or just mothballed for the present. Continued losses in total capacity mean that the likelihood of hitting a capacity constraint at some point in the future — possibly next decade — is increasing.”

Maintaining Service and Supply Continuity

The company reports production from the affected facilities will be absorbed into other operations across its network, ensuring continuity of supply and service for customers.

“JBS USA remains committed to U.S. agriculture and rural communities, working closely with producers and grower partners across the country,” the release says.

Filho says the company remains confident in its long-term outlook.

“Demand for high-quality protein continues to grow, and we are committed to meeting that demand as a reliable partner to our customers, producers and communities,” he says. “These steps ensure we are better positioned to invest in the future, strengthen our operations and continue delivering the products people depend on every day.”

First-Gen Farmers Unlock New Perspectives With Regenerative Grazing

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 12:03:18 GMT

When Mike and Amanda Butterfield purchased their Pennsylvania farmland, they saw more than just a beautiful patchwork of rolling fields. They saw a new beginning — and a way to raise cattle differently.

The Butterfields wanted to trade the dairy life for a new mission: raising beef cattle while restoring the soil and serving their community.

“We purchased a farm in 2017 and honestly, the property was beautiful,” says Amanda Butterfield. “It was the right price, it was the right place, it was the right timing—and it was a time for us to convert from dairy into something a little less labor-intensive.”

Now they call themselves “reformed dairy farmers.”

Discovering Purpose Through Land Management

The transition wasn’t solely about profit. Their experience working with dairy cattle inspired a deep attention to, and passion for, animal health.

“I think that’s kind of our superpower,” Amanda says. “Since we were dairy farmers, we’re really good at animal husbandry, spending time with our cattle and noticing things to increase longevity.”

Amanda Butterfield is a passionate first-generation farmer managing a sustainable beef cattle operation focused on land stewardship and biodiversity. She is also an advocate for food security and the future of agriculture.

(Joelle Orem)

For Mike, the transition allowed them to have more to show for the dollars and hard work they were putting in.

“When we decided to quit milking, we wanted to stop renting from other people, put our money to work for us, and build something that would be ours—something that would build equity,” he says.

“We decided it was not going to be a dairy.”

Through collaboration with USDA–NRCS , Maple Valley Cattle Company found the opportunity to reorient themselves as land managers as well as animal caretakers. Amanda describes her perspective shift as becoming “grass producers, not beef producers.”

Turning Rough Ground into Rich Pasture

Grazing cattle on what Mike describes as “lower-quality and quite rough” ground required grit, flexibility and patience.

“Instead of having bare soil with corn and soybeans, getting the grass on it and having it year-round makes way more sense,” he explains. “We could take poorer-quality land and make it more profitable with animals than just with row crops.”

In fall 2017, when Mike and Amanda Butterfield purchased the farm, the pastures were overgrazed.

(Amanda Butterfield)

The family’s collaborative approach sets them apart.

“We had never grazed before,” Amanda shares. “We were learning that we’re more grass producers than beef producers. If you take care of the land, the soil and everything else, then the beef comes naturally after that.”

Mike and Amanda’s daughter, Evelyn, is a next-generation contributor to the farm and takes her job seriously. Duties are divided among the family, with each person contributing in unique ways.

“During the summer, I usually help move the cows whenever we have to work them,” she says. “I have my own horses that I rotationally graze as well, and I take care of them. I just really do whatever I can to help on the farm.”

Cattle are rotationally grazed along the hillside of Maple Valley Cattle Company

(Joelle Orem)

The Butterfields are innovators. Amanda describes their approach as fairly low-tech.

“Since we are first-generation farmers, we didn’t want to invest in too much. We don’t own a lot of equipment or anything that depreciates,” Amanda shares.

Still, they adopt new tools when it supports their goals—from better grazing records to experimenting with drones for field spraying.

Partnerships have been key to the transformation of Maple Valley Cattle Company. Amanda highlights several that have been crucial: “NRCS and the resources they have, and other organizations like PASA and Shroud Water Center.” The Butterfields also lean on local agronomists and other producers for support and guidance.

They are driven to increase not just their farm’s productivity, but also its biodiversity.

“One of the projects I’m working on is changing some of the wildlife areas — adding more wildflowers, trees, and shaded spots,” Amanda says.

These small changes add up.

“Even in just seven years, we’ve seen an increase in bobolinks, which are birds that nest in grazing areas,” she adds.

The family has also seen more honeybees and monarch butterflies on their property.

Observation-Guided Grazing

Maple Valley Cattle Company recently welcomed attendees of the Trust In Beef Sustainable Ranchers Tour for a firsthand look at its cattle operation and management practices. During the tour, Noble Research Institute’s Josh Gaskamp evaluated pasture soil and applauded the Butterfield’s approach.

Gaskamp says the Butterfields are a strong example of adaptive, rather than prescriptive, grazing.

“Instead of following a set schedule for moving cattle, they look at their forages and say, ‘Okay, now it’s time to move them,’” he explains. “They’re increasing stock density, which allows them to utilize a larger proportion of the forage species and grow more forage per acre.”

Noble Research Institute’s Josh Gaskamp evaluates pasture soil at Maple Valley Cattle Company during the Trust In Beef Sustainable Ranchers Tour in September, 2025.

(Joelle Orem)

Adapting and Moving Forward

No season is predictable.

“Last year was a complete disaster,” Mike reflects. “We had a devastating drought. We fed hay ten months out of twelve—the weeds got ahead of the grass, and now our pastures are really weedy.”

For the Butterfields, adaptation is constant.

Mike Butterfield uses temporary fencing and a water tub as part of an NRCS-assisted grazing system with 17 hydrants from a main well, boosting forage efficiency and biodiversity while reducing waste.

(Joelle Orem)

“We’re always changing things to make sure that every year becomes more efficient, easier on the cattle—which means easier on us,” Amanda explains.

Tough decisions, like investing in new barn housing or tackling weed problems, are faced as a family, with an eye on the long game.

“Hopefully, if it’s been 20 years and I can’t do it anymore, it’ll be better than when I started — but that’s going to be a long-term process,” Mike adds.

Cultivating the Next Generation

Evelyn’s passion for agriculture extends beyond the property lines. Her work on the farm isn’t just chores—it’s a launching pad for community impact and advocacy.

“My mom has always loved gardening, and she’s gotten me into it too,” Evelyn says. “For the last couple of years, we’ve been growing produce to donate to the Somerset County Mobile Food Bank. It makes me feel really great that we’re helping the community and using our ability as farmers to help people.”

Mike and Amanda’s daughter, Evelyn, is a next-generation contributor to the farm

(Joelle Orem)

She is carving a path through agricultural leadership and advocacy.

“I want to introduce not only young people, but especially girls, to agriculture, because I think that’s a big issue,” Evelyn shares.

Serving their local community is woven into the Butterfields’ routine. Amanda is proud to support programs like Beefing Up for Backpacks , a program she co-founded with the Pennsylvania Beef Foundation and Nichole Hockenberry.

“It’s very important to me to see kids who are hungry get food. It’s very impactful to see this happening, and everyone’s excited about the project and donations that are coming in.”

The Rewards of Stewardship

Mike knows there’s still much work ahead.

“Putting the barn up and building a fence are short projects, but improving the land is our long-term goal,” he says.

Evelyn treasures seeing their progress. “When I get home from school and I just step outside and look around—that’s very rewarding.”

For the Butterfields, this different path has been worth taking and serves as a testament to other producers seeking to pivot.

Trust In Beef works to secure the future of American ranching by providing the information ranchers need to make the decisions that impact the resiliency, profitability and resource management of their working lands. Learn more about Trust In Beef and their Sustainable Ranchers Tour by visiting www.trustinbeef.com

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Your Mental Health Toolbox: How To Recognize The Warning Signs

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 22:28:17 GMT

Working in agriculture isn’t easy, and factors such as commodity prices, weather and family dynamics often weigh heavily on those involved.

It’s important the friends, family, and business professionals close to farmers are prepared to recognize warning signs and effectively communicate in a mental health crisis. PennState Extension shares several tips to help.

What To Look For
Some of the ways increased stress presents itself is through physical changes such as headaches or frequent illness, loss of the person’s sense of humor, change in routine, isolation or the feeling that they can’t do anything right.

In farmers specifically, this could look like a decline in the care of livestock and the farmstead’s appearance, no longer stopping by the coffee shop in the morning to chat with friends, or giving up something they were previously passionate about such as volunteering as a 4-H leader.

Prolonged symptoms take a toll on a person’s body and can have long-term effects like high blood pressure and diabetes.

Extension experts also say increased stress has the ability to make farmers more accident prone and could lead to an uptick in the number of accidents or injuries around the operation.

How To Approach The Conversation
If you notice these changes in a customer, friend or family member, the way you approach them about the topic matters. Simply asking them how they’re doing will probably elicit a response similar to “I’m fine.”

PennState Extension advises using active listening during this conversation to help the person feel comfortable sharing more about what’s going on and understand that you care.

For example, if they brush off your initial question of concern, encourage them to elaborate by saying, “I’ve noticed you seem down. Is there anything on your mind?”. Restate and paraphrase what they’ve shared with you periodically, so they know you’re interested and listening. This also gives them a chance to correct anything you’ve misunderstood and give more context if necessary. You could say, “It sounds like you’re thinking/feeling X. Is that right?”

Focus on listening, rather than what you’re going to say next and make sure to give them adequate time to speak before you jump in.

Extension experts also recommend talking to the person with empathy, rather than sympathy, even if you don’t have personal experience with what they’re going through.

Phrases To Help Convey Empathy:
• I know of several farms in similar situations.
• Every situation is a little different. Help me understand better.
• I don’t know what to say, but I’m so glad you told me.
• I can see this situation is hard for you. What changes would you like to see?
• I’m eager to help. What are some things I could do for you?

Try to avoid saying things like, “at least X didn’t happen” or “at least you still have X”.

Next Steps
Make sure you check back in with the person, whether you told them you would or not, and don’t promise things you can’t commit to.

If the situation becomes urgent, ask if you can call a family member or for help. Local, state and national resources are available.

Cattle Farmers Battle Fluctuating Winter Temperatures

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 02:14:21 GMT

By: David Singer, Washington Observer-Reporter

Every job outdoors gets harder in extreme cold, but few have it tougher than cattle farmers. And it’s not just the cold snaps that grind agricultural operations to a churning slog, but also the brief warm-ups, which are proving difficult for Pennsylvania farmers.

“Once you hit 20 degrees, everything takes twice as long - starting equipment; moving cattle. The problem with the fluctuating temperature is it starts and ends with the ground. Last week, everything was mud; now this week, there are frozen, foot-high ruts that you can barely get a tractor over and it could have the cows spraining or breaking their legs,” said District Judge Ethan Ward, who works 250 acres of pasture in West Alexander.

While farmers saw widespread instances of frostbite last year in sustained, bitter cold - Ward said seven of his calves lost the tips of their ears - veterinary experts at Penn State University are warning the freeze-thaw cycles this winter are increasing the risk of pneumonia and other lung diseases in cattle.

“Bovine animals can take cold. So as long as it’s a steady, cold winter, they’re all right, because they put on thick coats and layers of fat. But they get heat stress, or don’t feel like moving, and get stagnant, and the instances we’ve seen (in the State College area) are not as many frostbite cases, but farmhands are reporting lung diseases. It’s not an epidemic, but this warmer winter has brought it on,” said Penn State veterinarian Dr. Meggan Hain.

“So the things we’re recommending are to give supplemental vaccines if necessary, and to improve their nutrition,” Hain said.

Ward agrees with one aspect - providing some sort of super food for cattle.

“Cattle aren’t supposed to eat grain, so this only a once in a while thing. So we put in molasses in with the corn feed. It’s their energy drink. But I can count on my hand the amount of times I’ve given my cows an antibiotic. Not going to do it. I’m not contributing to the antibiotic-resistant food supply out there,” Ward said.

Hain said moving the cows to proper shelter is another way to prevent pneumonia.

“We have two barns they can run into,” said Adam Leech, of Leech Farms, in Hopewell Township, “but anytime it gets around 32 degrees we have to watch. We don’t have to herd them, but sometimes they don’t want to go inside. As far as nutrition, we try to be proactive with a ‘super-food’ blend of soy, corn, oat and wheat to really round out their diet when there’s no grass.”

The usual feed - round hay bales - double as bedding for the cows.

“I put out three bales for them a day. And I don’t care about the ‘waste’ because they bed down on that. It gives them some insulation,” Ward said, alluding to a more extreme solution he tried last year.

“I set a couple bales on fire. It was negative-30 with a wind chill and I was really in a bind to keep these black angus cattle warm. So, I found that these things kind of smolder like a cigarette and don’t just engulf in flames. That slow, smoky burn - they stood right up against it,” Ward said.

Ward said he hasn’t had any instances of frostbite or pneumonia this year, but the freeze-thaw cycle might yield another factor: moldy hay.

“You have to have cured hay if you want to make sure they don’t inhale mold. That might be where these lung illnesses are coming from when it gets warm after a freeze,” Ward said.

The central problem for cattle farmers is a logistical one - making sure they have enough pasture to roam, and standby pastures they can relocate to once they trot up deep tracks of mud and waste.

“It’s like the tractor in the ruts. They get stuck, their hooves will get cracked from the mud. You’ve got to get them to another field before the current one turns into a swamp,” Ward said, “and keeping them moving - that’s what I think keeps them from getting lung infections-something the mothers do for their calves since they just want to lay down. It’s a struggle, but it’s worth it,” Ward said.

“I don’t have to worry about food. I butcher a cow for the year - and would you believe I was almost a vegetarian? I watched the movie ‘Moses’ and it really affected me. But I felt I was doing good work this way, over the past 30 years. You’ve got to have something to come home to; to be proud of. Otherwise I couldn’t be in that robe. Judge Curtis Thompson is a farmer too, and I just don’t know how you go home from the bench without something like this. We’re all regular people, farmers, but judges are just regular people, too.”