If you are a meat processor, and you believe your inspector has given you an “NR” or noncompliance record that is unwarranted or an error, you have the right to appeal the inspector’s decision. Many processors are hesitant to appeal, for fear of damaging their relationship with their FSIS inspector . However, FSIS emphasizes that […]
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Producer-Processor Communication Local meat and poultry can’t get to market without a processor, but processors are pulled in many directions: producers would like more processing options, the kind of processing needed depends on the market, the regulations are complex, and even with premium-priced meats, the profit margins are slim. The producer-processor relationship is a
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With the expansion of uncured, nitrite/nitrate-free products in the marketplace, there has been some confusion around the regulatory requirements. Uncured (or “nitrite/nitrate-free”) products require the same safe handling instructions* as cured products since they are both raw products. In addition, if you are producing an uncured product that uses a vegetable powder as it’s nitrite source, you will
Five Financial Assistance Programs that Work Many financial assistance programs at the state and federal levels will not work for small meat processors. If we had a dollar for every program out there that we were told could help small meat processors, well… we could buy a lot of bratwurst. While assistance programs do change
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Adapted from Volume 3, Number 11 of Small Plant News As a small plant operator, you probably already know that FSIS issues directives to provide official communications and instruction to Agency personnel in carrying out their functions. These directives are usually issued for an indefinite duration and are identified by a series number and title.
Finding Directives Read More »
The following studies and reports, listed in order of publication date, look at different challenges related to meat processing in Oregon. Oregon Lamb Processing Feasibility Study Author: NEWCO Northwest, on behalf of the Oregon Sheep Growers Association Date: August 2003 Link to full report Solving the Local Meat Conundrum: Meat Production and Processing in Oregon
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A Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network webinar Date: March 30, 2016 Duration: one hour Overview: Managing, treating and removing solid waste and wastewater often comes at a significant cost for small-scale meat processing facilities. For those new to meat processing, or those looking for new ideas for their plant, this webinar provided a general overview on waste management
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A Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network webinar Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2016 Duration: one hour Overview: Livestock producer co-ops are often interested in owning and operating their own processing plants. On this webinar, we heard the story of one co-op, Cattle Producers of Washington, and their journey to build and operate their own plant, the CPoW LPCA Plant
Co-Op Owned and Operated Processing – Cattle Producers of Washington and the LPCA Plant Read More »
Other Loan Guarantee Programs While a guarantee may be necessary under certain circumstances and can sometimes foster better loan terms (related to repayment period or interest rate) depending on the bank, often they have up front costs of a 1 to 3.5 percent of the portion guaranteed and have annual fees ranging from 1/8th to
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Overview Note: This webinar is no longer hosted, but the class materials and resources are still listed below. The 2008 Farm Bill included a provision to allow the interstate sale of state-inspected meat and poultry. In September, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service published proposed rules for how this program will work. On this webinar,
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