Many times we fail to capitalize on sales opportunities because we are not prepared. A Christmas holiday season sales opportunity that many meat processors find to be very profitable is gift boxes.

While U.S. markets last year benefited from a drought in Brazil that affected the country’s corn and soybean production, this year’s projections are for record crops that will affect 2018 markets. Current projections call for a continued excess supply of both corn and soybeans.

Expansion of the product was methodical but steady, until early 2017, when a partnership with Certified Angus Beef LLC was formally announced with the launch of Certified Angus Beef-branded Uncured Beef Slices (Schmacon).

It’s common to think of sanitation as third-shift work that ends the production day. But given that workers ensure the plant is clean and ready to operate, it’s preferable to consider sanitation as the beginning of production, or “shift zero.”

There are plenty of things to review as you “clean up.” It could be an extra process you don’t need to make, or extra paperwork you don’t need to fill out.

The meat and poultry industry is much healthier in 2016 than it was in 2015.

We’re starting the new year off with a really favorable commodity environment for protein producers.

After a year of volatility because of avian influenza, smaller cattle herds and weak exports, a quiet rebuilding year is welcome.

December is typically a very busy month so set aside some time in the first two weeks of January to plan for 2016.

In recent years, livestock producers, family farms and Attorneys General offices in the dominant agricultural states have been alarmed with the aggressive pursuit of the U.S. meat packers by foreign investors.