US Ranchers build meat packing plant

[unlacedgecko]

Unhappy with prices, ranchers look to build own meat plants

Frustrated with persistently low prices, ranchers and others in the beef industry are moving to reverse a long trend of consolidation and planning to open new slaughterhouses.

apnews.com

Any sign of UK farmers doing similar?

 

[Bald n Grumpy]

Unhappy with prices, ranchers look to build own meat plants

Frustrated with persistently low prices, ranchers and others in the beef industry are moving to reverse a long trend of consolidation and planning to open new slaughterhouses.

apnews.com

Any sign of UK farmers doing similar?

Farmers fresh ?

 

[Dead Rabbits]

A guy called Mike callicrate is very well versed on the meat packing industry and cattle buying and finishing. We have laws in place to prevent the mass consolidation that has taken place in the beef processing industry but they have never been enforced. Callicrate successfully sued IBP years ago and they were awarded over a billion dollars by the jury. This was then overturned by the judge and pretty much ended his feedlot.


It’s great that these guys have decided to build their own plant and that’s certainly part of what needs to happen but I believe they will be selling into a rigged market and are doomed to fail. Until laws are enforced and the big 4 are broke up it’s unlikely that competing in the wholesale market will ever have a chance of a fair shot.

A return to local and regional processing and actually having a competitive market for selling fat cattle is likely the only thing that will return the margin back to farms and ranches. Our cattle now travel up to 600 miles to slaughter in some instances to a slaughter house that nobody wants to work in or live anywhere near.

Watch what has happened here. Some of the same companies operate over there too. It’s good for nobody but a handful of executives.

 

[delilah]

Watch what has happened here. Some of the same companies operate over there too. It’s good for nobody but a handful of executives.

Don't worry, it's a process that is pretty much completed over here too. With the active support over the last 30 years of our national representative bodies. Until they wake up to the monumental failure of their tactics, and realise who they need to work with to bring about change, the job is as fooked here as it is with you.

 

[egbert]

Unhappy with prices, ranchers look to build own meat plants

Frustrated with persistently low prices, ranchers and others in the beef industry are moving to reverse a long trend of consolidation and planning to open new slaughterhouses.

apnews.com

Any sign of UK farmers doing similar?

It's been tried many times.
The single biggest issue, as I've observed, is that the farmers often mistake being a 'good farmer' and clever chap, with being a ruthless businessman.

Plenty have worked up from a few homekills, to a small shop/round etc.
Some grow it further, until actually raising the beasts is less and less a part of the operation.
Inevitably, it will be driven by one man, or a tight family.

But the minute you start trying to work together, the game seems to change.
I suspect it's to do with the prime mover in the business.
Collectively, farmers think they'll employ people to run the business....and finding the right management is not the same as running your own show.
The idea that someone that cute and driven is going to work their butt off for you is a bit naïve......they'd be far better running their own show.

The market here is more skewed than ever, suggesting better opportunities, but that also means you'd be competing against sharper characters than ever.
I'm all for it if the model is sound, but have yet to see it.

 

[Mc115reed]

Don't worry, it's a process that is pretty much completed over here too. With the active support over the last 30 years of our national representative bodies. Until they wake up to the monumental failure of their tactics, and realise who they need to work with to bring about change, the job is as fooked here as it is with you.

Active support from farmers too who can’t see what’s right infront of them

 

[Anymulewilldo]

It's been tried many times.
The single biggest issue, as I've observed, is that the farmers often mistake being a 'good farmer' and clever chap, with being a ruthless businessman.

Plenty have worked up from a few homekills, to a small shop/round etc.
Some grow it further, until actually raising the beasts is less and less a part of the operation.
Inevitably, it will be driven by one man, or a tight family.

But the minute you start trying to work together, the game seems to change.
I suspect it's to do with the prime mover in the business.
Collectively, farmers think they'll employ people to run the business....and finding the right management is not the same as running your own show.
The idea that someone that cute and driven is going to work their butt off for you is a bit naïve......they'd be far better running their own show.

The market here is more skewed than ever, suggesting better opportunities, but that also means you'd be competing against sharper characters than ever.
I'm all for it if the model is sound, but have yet to see it.

You’ve hit the nail on the head. Well said!