LIME SPRINGS, Iowa — Two independent Iowa meat processors will receive more than $2.17 million for improvements intended to increase capacity and strengthen markets for livestock producers.
Upper Iowa Beef receives $2 million through USDA’s Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program. The Lime Springs business will address bottlenecks in animal harvest, offal and byproduct handling, and warehousing.
USDA says those improvements will create dozens of jobs and increase purchases of locally raised cattle. The independently owned facility opened in 2017.
Dayton Meat Products in Malcom receives $171,459 to purchase and install equipment. Its project targets increased production of smoked and cooked meats, shorter processing delays and improved efficiency.
The department says the equipment will also support food safety, product consistency and additional opportunities for livestock producers and customers using the plant’s processing services.
USDA Rural Development announced the Iowa awards Nov. 2. They are part of $57 million awarded to processors in 40 states.
The program supports independent processing businesses to increase competition and strengthen supply chains. USDA says it has awarded more than $200 million nationwide through the program.
Cattle pictured in a USDA file photo by Ryan Thompson. Public domain. The photograph does not depict either processing facility.
Leave a Reply