USDA Maps Show Dearth of Processing Plants

In a press release on Thursday, May 21st, USDA said that it wants to help increase the availability of slaughterhouses to serve small livestock and poultry producers. The effort is part of the agency's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative, which partly seeks to rebuild rural economies and bridge a gap between food producers and consumers.

In a prepared presentation, the USDA shows national maps of livestock production by small farms and the availability of federal inspection slaughter plants. Maps for cattle, sheep, hogs and poultry are shown. USDA defines a small farm as having sales of $250 thousand or less per year.The maps also show the proximity of rendering plants that take offal and deceased livestock - another problem for north coast ranchers. The pdf of the maps is attached.

Not suprising, is the dirth of USDA inspected plants close to Mendocino and Lake Counties. Our meat capacity and feasibility study of the North Coast Region of California already demonstrated this need for our livestock industry to revitalize.