Dealer Index located on Page A10
MARCH 2022
Volume 39
48 Pages
P.O. Box 306, Colfax, WA 99111
Phone: (509) 397-2191
Number 12
BEEFING UP PROCESSOR
CAPACITY
USDA has not specified how much additional capacity is being targeted
A
By CAROL RYAN DUMAS Capital Press
fter college, Patrick Robinette managed a feedlot in Nebraska for five years. When his father-in-law fell ill, he and his wife, Amy, returned to the family farm in North Carolina to manage the cattle operation. About 10 years ago, they reopened a shuttered processing plant in Micro, N.C., with a capacity of 100 head per day. In the 12 years before opening the facility, Robinette said he was at the mercy of the cattle Patrick markets and had his share of losses. “The system is a complete market manipulation,” Robinette he said, adding that the strings are being pulled by processors, distributors, retailers and even USDA. “I’m not satisfied with ‘this is as good as it gets,’” he said. Sierra Dawn McClain/Capital Press File In part, he said, that’s why he joined U.S. Cattlemen’s AssoA plant manager walks through rows of carcasses at a meat processing facility. The USDA is considering how to create more competition ciation, where he serves as chairman of the independent processors committee. among processors. Like many cattlemen, he contends the four major packers — Tyson Foods, Cargill, National Beef and JBS — have too much leverage, controlling 85% of the market. For years, cattle producers have voiced frustration over packer concentration, saying it gives producers little bargaining power and shows up in low prices for their cattle. The Biden administration agrees and has taken it one step further, accusing the Big Four of pandemic profiteering and blaming them for the recent increases in the price of meat. Address Service Requested
HOW WILL USDA’S $1 BILLION INVESTMENT IMPACT CATTLE PRODUCERS?
See Capacity, Page A9
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