Food Manufacturing
Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger recently sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins calling the policy “catastrophic” and raising concerns about its potential impact on cattle producers.
Fewer packing options could mean higher freight costs for Midwest cattle feeders.
Producers near affected facilities may have to look farther from home to market their cattle.
Tyson will close beef operations at Joslin, Illinois, and its Eagle Mountain, Utah, case-ready plant while pursuing a sale of its Pasco, Washington, beef facility.
Limited cattle availability continues pressuring processing margins despite record North American beef sales.
USDA reports a sharp decline in premium cotton use as domestic mills continue relying heavily on synthetic fiber.
Beef losses mounted as poultry and pork operations posted stronger results.
Analysts question U.S. cattle herd expansion as a meatpacker class action advances, and the USDA moves forward with reopening Mexican cattle trade to balance biosecurity risks.
USDA has not yet released the names of the six companies participating in the latest expansion but is expected to provide additional details following Secretary Rollins’ announcement on Friday.
Lettuce can move through a greenhouse in 21 days with limited handling. Automated systems plant, germinate, move, and harvest, reducing human contact before packaging and shipment.