Beef Processing

Count Idaho among the growing number of states in need of additional meat processing capacity.

Idaho Cattle Association Executive Vice President Cameron Mulrony says as more reports and data regarding the pandemic's impact on the industry are published, it's becoming very apparent that more hook space is needed.

"As we know, competition helps drive the market and the number of hooks and the number of cattle we can get processed is the one thing that was bottlenecking in our industry. We really realized it when some of those plants had to maybe close down or slow down production with the coronavirus."

 

Despite the current lack of processing capacity, Mulrony is applauding those involved in developing and moving forward with plans to add more hook space.

At least two more meat processing plants are set to come online in Idaho within the next couple of years, including a True West operation in Jerome.

Mulrony added that if the state could get more mid-sized plants, it will only help the northwest market continue to be competitive.