USCA Committee Chairman Earns Spot on National Advisory Committee for Meat and Poultry Inspection

(FEBRUARY 11, 2023) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is pleased to announce that its Independent Processing Committee Chairman Patrick Robinette earned a spot on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Advisory Committee for Meat and Poultry Inspection (NACMPI). This committee advises the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on matters affecting the Food Safety and Inspection Service’s inspection program activities, including food safety …

Members of Congress Reintroduce the  Strengthening Local Processing Act 

(FEBRUARY 9, 2023) – Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) , and Jim Baird (R-IN), and Sens. John Thune (R-SD) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced plans on Wednesday to reintroduce the Strengthening Local Processing Act. The bill would would create a competitive grant program for small and very small establishments, state-inspected facilities, custom exempt facilities, or new small-scale slaughter facilities. It would also …

Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety to Address Cattle Producers in Nashville

(NOVEMBER 8, 2022) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is pleased to announce that Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety, Sandra Eskin, will provide a special address to cattle producers at the 15th Annual Meeting and Cattle Producer’s Forum this December 8-10, 2022, in Nashville, TN.  Sandra Eskin was appointed Deputy Under Secretary for Food Safety on March 24, 2021. …

Buy & Sell Local Beef with USCA’s New Online Directory

(AUGUST 16, 2022) – The U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) is proud to present the Independent Beef Producer and Processor’s online directory.  USCA is committed to supporting and advancing the interests of U.S. cattle producers, which also includes independent processors. This network is intended to be a resource for those who are seeking new connections within the industry, including:  Producers looking for regional processors with …

USCA Applauds Bipartisan Effort to Enhance National Food Security

(JUNE 16, 2022) – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7606, the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, on a 221-204 vote. Seven Republicans joined their Democratic colleagues to support the package of bills, including Reps. Dusty Johnson (SD-At Large), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-02), Ashley Hinson (IA-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Randy Feenstra (IA-04), and Vicky Hartzler (MO-04). …

Bill Would Remove Regulatory Barrier to Financing of Processing Facilities

(APRIL 8, 2022) – On Thursday, Rep. Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA) introduced the Amplifying Processing of Livestock in the United States Act, or the A-PLUS Act. The bill would allow livestock auction markets to hold an ownership interest in, finance, or participate in the management or operation of a packing facility that has a slaughter capacity of less …

FSIS Rescinds Mask Mandate for Processing Facilities

(March 1, 2023) – On Tuesday, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA FSIS) issued Notice 09-22, which rescinds previous guidance requiring employees at federally inspected meat processing facilities to wear masks while working in the establishment.  In November, the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) sent a letter to FSIS requesting updated guidance from FSIS that allowed for COVID-19 …

LISTEN: Radio Interview with Independent Beef Processors Committee Chairman Patrick Robinette

(JANUARY 7, 2022) – This week, U.S. Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) Independent Beef Processors Committee Chairman Patrick Robinette visited with KINA Radio 910 AM Coffee Talk Hosts Jerry Hinrikus and Randy Picking to discuss the White House’s Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain. Hit the triangle “play” button on the audio bar below …

White House Launches Action Plan to Restore Competition in the U.S. Cattle Industry

(JANUARY 3, 2022) – On Monday, the Biden-Harris Administration published its Action Plan for a Fairer, More Competitive, and More Resilient Meat and Poultry Supply Chain. The four core strategies that make up the Action Plan seek to strengthen the bottom line of independent producers and processors, while also providing more choices and affordable prices for U.S. consumers. The United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) participated in …

So You Want to Start a Meat Plant? A Short Primer on What You Need to Know

(SEPTEMBER 23, 2021) – Through the Local Food Systems Response to COVID project, USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) partnered with the Niche Meat Processor Assistance Network (NMPAN) to develop a new resource outlining considerations for starting a new meat plant. A resilient food system requires a diverse group of meat processors when it comes to scale, services provided, and location. …

USCA Address Mask Mandates for Independent Processing Facilities

(SEPTEMBER 15, 2021) – Last Friday, members of the United States Cattlemen’s Association (USCA) Independent Beef Processing Committee met with leadership at USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) to discuss the agency’s updated guidance on mask use in “small” and “very small” plants, or those facilities with up to 499 employees.  The same regulations imposed on large processing facilities are not feasible for small and …