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Members of the Missouri Cattlemen's Association have determined there is enough producer interest for the MCA to own and operate a beef processing facility in the state of Missouri. Allen Henry, MCA Task Force Chairman said, "Producers want to have the opportunity to take control of a bigger piece of the beef industry and begin to control some of their own destiny. Our job, as a Task Force, was to find out if there were enough producers willing to commit to the plan to make it work." They determined to move full speed ahead. In May of 1997, cattlemen began to discuss the possibility of utilizing the Macon Foods Plant in Macon, Mo., as a fed cattle processing plant that would be owned and controlled by producers. A series of feasibility studies have been initiated by MCA, with assistance from USDA's Rural Development Administration, to evaluate the facility in Macon. It would process 500 head of cattle per day with remodeling and construction costs estimated at $8 million. The plant would be a state of the art facility capable of complex carcass data collection, complete carcass fabrication and capable of meeting world standards. Primary marketing out of the plant would be through existing and developing niche market programs. The completion date of the project will depend on producer input and participation, but could be as early as late 1999. MCA is also looking into a southwestern Missouri facility that could be operating as a carcass production facility within a shorter period of time. This southwest facility, near Pleasant Hope, Mo., would process 300 head per day, but lacks any fabrication capabilities. Anyone interested in participating or cooperating with the new venture should contact the Missouri Cattlemen's Association at (573)499-9162. |
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