U.S. beef processors will be able to ship beef from cattle aged 30 months of younger, a change from the current limitation of 20 months.

It has been many years since the meat industry could look at the start of a new year with something more than trepidation.

Cargill announced that it will idle its Plainview, Texas, beef processing facility effective at the close of business, Friday, Feb.1, 2013.

Beef production in the United States is expected to decrease 4.8 percent in 2013, the second largest year-over-year decrease in 35 years, trailing only the 6.4 percent drop in 2004.

Hartley Ranch Angus Beef LLC of Austin, Texas is the first customer of Northern Beef Packers LP and will purchase 66% of its boxed beef production.

The final round of financing will allow Northern Beef Packers to meet the growing global demand for high-quality, American raised beef.

Brazil, the world's No. 1 beef exporter, is considering retaliation at the World Trade Organization (WTO) if the countries do not lift the bans.

According to company officials, Grandin said the plant is off to a good start and was pleased that the facility was designed with the cattle’s comfort in mind.

China and South Africa have halted imports of beef from Brazil following a case of atypical BSE that was confirmed last week.