Due to market and supply and demand changes for meat products during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture is helping livestock producers and processors in addressing current marketing and financial challenges.

The recent closures of some meat processing plants around the region due to COVID-19 is disrupting traditional animal markets and the meat supply chain. MDA is working to limit the disruption for producers of smaller herds or flocks by matching them with slaughter facilities and identifying other marketing opportunities.

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MDA is asking farmers with smaller herds or flocks seeking new processors, alternate markets or increased storage to contact Jim Ostlie at 320-842-6910 or [email protected], or Courtney VanderMey at 651-201-6135 or [email protected].

MDA is working with existing "Equal To" processors (plants under continuous inspection that are able to produce and process meat and poultry products for wholesale within the state of Minnesota) to expand capacity. The department also is developing an expedited approval process to enable plants that currently do not sell wholesale within the state to do so. If these establishments meet the minimum requirements, they will be granted a 90-day provisional grant of inspection.

Processing plants interested in expanding their slaughter capacity, have additional processing capacity or wanting expedited licensing may call contact Jennifer Stephes at 651-248-2566.

Financial help

MDA is providing additional financial assistance by awarding more than $345,000 in Agriculture Growth, Research and Innovation Value-Added Grants to nine Minnesota meat processors.

The companies will be using the funds for facility improvements, such as increasing freezer space and new equipment for slaughter and processing capacity. Many of these grantees are required to make updates to be compliant with the Food Safety Modernization Act. This new funding is in addition to the nearly $1 million in Value-Added Grants in FY20, in which meat processors received a significant amount of the total grant funds.

A new grant program, the AGRI Rapid Response Mini-Grant for Livestock Processing, is intended to assist processors and certain producers respond to market issues caused by COVID-19. This grant will launch by April 30 and will be available to eligible Minnesota processors of meat, poultry, eggs and milk, and to livestock producers who need storage capacity for processed products until existing markets return or new markets are developed.

Source: The Minnesota Department of Agriculture, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all of its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.