Better for Butchery: USDA Strengthens Local Meat Processing Capacity with Kentucky Facility Acquisition

USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.

PRINCETON, Ky. (RFD NEWS) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is working to expand domestic meat processing capacity, supporting local operations and strengthening the food supply chain.

Travis Burton, USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, joined us on Friday’s Market Day Report to provide an overview of the facility and the benefits it brings to agriculture across the region. Burton also discussed how the acquisition was financed through the Meat and Poultry Intermediary Lending Program backed by the USDA.

Burton highlighted why this effort was important for USDA and spoke to the broader significance of strengthening local meat processing for rural communities and the overall food supply chain.

As part of that work, USDA recently supported Better For Butchery (formerly Porter Road Meats) in acquiring a facility in Kentucky. The site will operate as a scalable co-packing and processing hub.

On Thursday, we were joined on Market Day Report by Better For Butchery CEO Christopher Roach, who provided an overview of the facility and discussed the benefits it brings to agriculture across the region.

In his interview with RFD NEWS, Roach explained how the acquisition was financed through the Meat and USDA’s Poultry Lending Program. He also highlighted that the acquisition marks a turning point for Better For Butchery, as well as the new facility’s potential to strengthen local meat processing and support rural communities and the food supply chain.

Related Stories
Brooks York of AgriSompo discusses projected prices and how farmers are adapting their crop insurance strategies as the price discovery period comes to a close.
For the broader agricultural industry, a railroad antitrust case in Kansas could lead to the dismantling of legacy regulatory shields, creating a more fluid, market-driven transportation grid that prioritizes moving crops efficiently over protecting historic rail monopolies.
FFA Western Region Vice President Jael Cruikshank talks about the importance of community service and how National FFA Organization members are making a difference in their communities during National FFA Week.
Ranger Road Fire has burned 283,000 acres across Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle and is nearing containment, as ranchers begin assessing cattle and infrastructure losses as they look toward recovery.
Domestic beef demand remains solid, with the strongest growth occurring through retail channels, according to consumers surveyed in the latest K-State Meat Demand Monitor.
The long-term viability of a ranching operation often hinges on how effectively its owners navigate the overlapping layers of IRS regulations, state tax incentives, and USDA disaster programs.

Marion is a digital content manager for RFD News and FarmHER + RanchHER. She started working for Rural Media Group in May 2022, bringing a decade of digital experience in broadcast media and some cooking experience to the team.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
Corn growers are turning to ethanol, E15 expansion, and export markets to help absorb record supplies and stabilize prices. Farm leaders discuss low-carbon ethanol demand, flex-fuel vehicle challenges, input costs, and the role of USMCA as producers look for market relief in the year ahead.
From rising trade tensions in Europe to a pending Supreme Court decision on tariffs and shifting demand from China, global trade policy spearheaded by President Donald Trump continues to shape the outlook for U.S. agriculture—adding uncertainty as farmers navigate another volatile year.
The Surface Transportation Board rejects the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger, prompting concerns from agricultural shippers about rail consolidation, service reliability, and higher transportation costs.
Midland County Livestock Association President Brandon Mitchell reflects on another strong year for the event, including a premium sale that once again topped the million-dollar mark.
The Midland County Junior Livestock Show in West Texas features a competitive steer showcase highlighting top-quality cattle and the accomplishments of driven youth exhibitors.