Maple Leaf Foods’ Poultry Division Drives Strong Q1
Maple Leaf Foods reported a strong first‑quarter, posting C$46.1 million ($33.8 million) profit and 6.2% revenue growth to C$963 million ($706 million). The Poultry division led the surge with 11.7% sales growth, fueled by the newly built London, Ontario plant and rising consumer demand for affordable chicken. Prepared Foods contributed modest 2.3% sales growth despite a temporary volume dip after a price increase. The company also introduced a fuel surcharge to offset higher transportation costs and outlined a focused U.S. expansion around its Greenfield Natural Meat brand.
Q&A: How Global Trade Tensions Are Reshaping Ag Markets
Geopolitical flashpoints—from the Iran‑linked Strait of Hormuz closure to lingering U.S.-China tariff disputes—are reshaping agricultural markets. Fertilizer prices have spiked as the Hormuz bottleneck persists, while U.S. soybean shipments to China plunged 75% year‑over‑year. Export dynamics are shifting, with corn...
USMEF: Pork Exports Near Record in March
US pork exports surged in March, reaching 285,567 tonnes—a 6% year‑over‑year increase and the third‑largest monthly total on record. Export value climbed 4% to $803.2 million, the second‑highest ever, while per‑head value hit $456.56. Beef exports fell 11% in volume and...
New Tyson Foods Products Target Demand for Spicy Flavors
Tyson Foods is rolling out a suite of heat‑forward items across its Ball Park, Jimmy Dean and Hillshire Farm brands to capture the growing appetite for spicy flavors. The launch includes Ball Park Bun‑Size Jalapeño Beef Franks, Jimmy Dean Premium Hot Bacon, and Hillshire Farm’s Spicy...
Former US Trade Representative Urges Planning Amid Tariffs, USMCA Talks
Former U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai told bakers at the American Bakers Association meeting that tariffs imposed under the Trump administration are likely to remain despite recent court rulings. She highlighted the shift from IEEPA‑based tariffs to those under Section 122...
Colorado Premium Acquisition Adds Smoked Protein Capabilities
Colorado Premium, a value‑added protein maker, announced the acquisition of Old Hickory Smokehouse, a family‑owned smoked‑protein processor based in Lewisburg, Tennessee. The deal adds naturally smoked and cooked protein products to Colorado Premium’s existing sous‑vide beef, chicken and other formats....
Mindy Brashears Details Food Safety Priorities
Mindy Brashears, confirmed as USDA undersecretary for food safety in December 2025, is steering the agency away from legacy regulations toward a data‑driven, flexible framework. FSIS has proposed raising poultry line speeds to 175 birds per minute and maintains a swine...
POULTRY DEMAND SURGE DRIVES NEW PROCESSING AND PACKAGING STRATEGIES
U.S. poultry demand is accelerating as beef prices surge, pushing total meat sales to a record $112 billion in 2025. Retailers respond with case‑ready and private‑label formats, now preferred by 87% of shoppers, while processors seek automation to maintain quality and...
Meat Industry Groups Respond to DOJ Investigation of Beef Processors
The Department of Justice announced an antitrust investigation into the four largest U.S. beef processors. The Meat Institute highlighted a historic low in the cattle herd and record‑high feeder prices, noting that packers have been losing money monthly for the...
New Primal Expands Costco Reach with Zero Sugar Rotisserie Chicken Sticks
New Primal, a clean‑ingredient meat snack brand, launched its Rotisserie Seasoned Chicken Meat Sticks in Costco clubs across Texas. The snack is made from antibiotic‑free chicken, contains 10 g protein per stick and zero added sugar, and is sold in 12‑count...
Canadian Cattle Association Warns Against Entering Mercosur Trade Deal
The Canadian Cattle Association (CCA) has warned that a prospective free‑trade agreement with Mercosur could jeopardize domestic beef producers. CCA argues the deal would increase imports of lower‑cost, lower‑standard beef from Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, despite Canada already importing...
Texas A&M Breaks Ground on Meat Science Center
Texas A&M University broke ground on a $133.36 million, 85,600‑square‑foot Meat Science and Technology Center on its West Campus. The facility, slated for completion in 2028, will house modern labs, classrooms and processing spaces for beef, swine, poultry, sheep and goats,...
Duty-Free Beef Quota Gives US Exporters New Access to the UK
The United States has secured a 13,000‑tonne duty‑free beef quota for the United Kingdom, marking the first zero‑tariff access since Brexit. The inaugural shipment arrived in March, accompanied by launch events at the US Embassy and a steakhouse dinner. USMEF...
JJS Expands Gourmet Duck Line with Pastrami
Joe Jurgielewicz & Son (JJS) has added a Gourmet Duck Breast Pastrami to its artisan duck portfolio, offering a 10‑12 oz, all‑natural product priced at $12.99. The pastrami is seasoned with a proprietary spice blend and smoked to create a deli‑style...
Top 10 Stories for April
April’s top meat‑processing headlines underscore a wave of expansion, consolidation, and operational challenges across the U.S. sector. Sysco announced a $29 billion acquisition of Restaurant Depot, while Triumph Foods and Empirical invested $30 million and opened a new Kansas plant to lift...
Lottie’s Meats’ Target Expansion Marks Brand's Largest Retail Move
Lottie’s Meats is expanding into Target stores across Northern California, Washington and Oregon, marking its biggest retail rollout yet. The move adds to the brand’s presence in more than 300 retail and food‑service locations nationwide. Target will stock two fully...
Pilgrim’s Pride Earnings Fall in Q1 Despite Steady Chicken Demand
Pilgrim's Pride reported Q1 FY2026 profit of $101.4 million, or 43 cents per share, a sharp drop from last year's $296 million and $1.24 per share, while revenue modestly rose 1.6% to $4.5 billion. The company cited steady chicken demand, affordable pricing, and ample...
University of Wisconsin-Madison Setting up Artisanal Meat Processing Workshop
The University of Wisconsin‑Madison will host an artisanal meat processing workshop June 9‑11 in its Meat Science & Animal Biologics Discovery building. The three‑day program blends traditional “old world” sausage techniques with modern manufacturing technology and rigorous food‑safety standards. Award‑winning sausage...
City of Lexington Buying some of Tyson’s Assets Following Closure
The City of Lexington, Nebraska, announced it will purchase Tyson Foods’ wastewater treatment plant and surrounding farmland after the company closed its beef processing facility earlier this year. The acquisition is part of a broader framework to attract private investment,...
Nathan’s Famous Modernizes Its Classic Hot Dog
Nathan’s Famous, a Smithfield Foods brand, introduced 100% grass‑fed beef franks, blending its historic Coney Island recipe with premium, ingredient‑forward meat. The uncured hot dogs contain no artificial flavors, preservatives, fillers or by‑products, appealing to consumers seeking cleaner protein options....
Save Our Bacon Act Stays in Farm Bill After Rules Vote
The House Rules Committee voted on April 28 to keep the Save Our Bacon Act in the Farm Bill 2.0, rejecting a bipartisan amendment that sought its removal. The Act, introduced by Rep. Ashley Hinson, would block state and local regulations—most...
Why Hybrid Meat Products Are Gaining Traction in R&D
Hybrid meat products that blend animal and plant proteins are gaining momentum in research and development as consumers seek familiar taste with added health and sustainability benefits. ADM’s research shows 68% of shoppers are curious about hybrids and 86% view...
Young American Food Brands Secures Private Equity Investment
Private equity firm Falfurrias Management Partners has invested in Young American Food Brands, the former Miami Beef, to accelerate its growth in premium protein. The family‑owned company, with five decades in the meat industry, has broadened its portfolio to include...
Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse Adds Kroger Retail Distribution
Family‑owned Rancher’s Premium Smokehouse is rolling out its entire sausage portfolio to Kroger stores across Texas, as well as Fry’s in Arizona and Smith’s in Nevada, just before the summer barbecue rush. The 12‑oz refrigerated packs feature four distinct flavors,...
Hormel, LSI Whole Bird Business Transaction Completed
Hormel Foods Corp. completed the sale of its whole bird business to LSI Foods for roughly $1.2 billion in cash. The deal transfers Hormel's turkey, chicken and related processing assets across the United States to LSI, creating one of the nation’s...
Small Batch Farms Enters Online Beef Market
Small Batch Farms, a family‑owned beef producer in Eldon, Missouri, has launched an online boutique that sells premium, pasture‑raised beef, jerky and freeze‑dried liver treats directly to U.S. consumers. The new direct‑to‑consumer platform, smallbatchfarms.com, offers nationwide shipping and subscription options....
Greater Omaha Packing Receives Environmental Award From Meat Institute
Greater Omaha Packing Co. received the Meat Institute’s Environmental Achievement Award for its water‑conservation and wastewater‑management initiatives. The honor was presented at the Institute’s Environment, Labor, and Safety Conference. CEO Henry Davis highlighted substantial investments in treatment infrastructure and process...
University of Idaho Opens New Meat Science Lab for Processing Education
The University of Idaho inaugurated its $17.5 million, 12,750‑square‑foot Meat Science & Innovation Center on April 10, drawing more than 300 guests. The state‑of‑the‑art facility houses a Vandal Brand Meats storefront, smokehouses, a fabrication room, a modern classroom, and a test kitchen,...
US Meat Animal Research Center in Nebraska Awarded New Project
The USDA’s Agricultural Research Service will add a new research project and ten staff members to the US Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska, as part of a broader reorganization. Senator Deb Fischer praised the move, saying...
USRSB Advances Sustainability at 2026 General Assembly
At its 2026 General Assembly in Tampa, the US Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (USRSB) convened over 145 beef‑value‑chain stakeholders to discuss science‑based sustainability initiatives. The meeting featured main‑stage sessions, breakout discussions and tours focused on food waste, supply‑chain innovation, grazing‑land...
JBS Plant in Indiana and Union Reach Contract Agreement
JBS Foods’ Elkhart, Indiana meat‑packing plant and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 700 have ratified a four‑year contract covering more than 200 employees. The agreement, approved by 91% of union members, introduces the first pension guarantees for the workforce, along...
BAK Food Equipment Boasts New Features of Vacuum Tumblers
BAK Food Equipment introduced its Mixing‑Tilting Vacuum Tumbler with drum volumes up to 1,000 liters and a maximum load of 1,300 lb. The machine features asymmetrical fins and a mechanical positioning system that allows a 120‑degree tilt for greater processing flexibility. A...
Fortifi Acquires Deighton Manufacturing
Fortifi Food Processing Solutions announced a definitive agreement to acquire Deighton Manufacturing Ltd, a provider of forming, portioning, coating and frying equipment. The deal expands Fortifi’s portfolio into modular, lower‑throughput solutions, complementing its existing large‑scale processing expertise. Deighton’s capabilities span...
Senators Push Forward to Make Hot Rotisserie Chicken Available to SNAP Recipients
A bipartisan group of senators introduced the Hot Rotisserie Chicken Act to amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, allowing SNAP recipients to purchase hot rotisserie chicken. The bill adds “hot rotisserie chicken” to the definition of eligible food,...
Walmart Refreshing Private Label Branding
Walmart announced the first refresh in more than a decade of its Great Value private‑label brand, which launched in 1993 and now tops the retailer’s own‑brand portfolio. The new visual identity modernizes packaging, standardizes nutrition information and benefit claims, and...
Soules Kitchen Offering Two Styles of Refrigerated Meals
Soules Kitchen, the ready‑meal arm of Soules Food Group, launched two refrigerated meal lines—Classic and Premium—targeting grocery shelves across the United States. The Classic line offers budget‑friendly, 6‑8‑ounce portions with familiar comfort‑food flavors, while the Premium line features chef‑crafted, high‑protein...
Creminelli Fine Meats Offering Five New Salami Items
Creminelli Fine Meats, a Charcuterie Artisans brand, has launched a 2‑oz sliced salami line featuring five globally‑inspired varieties—Espelette, Black Truffle, Genoa, Barolo, and Wild Boar. Each salami is made from humanely raised pork with no antibiotics, hormones, nitrates or nitrites,...
MULTIVAC Automation, Solutions for Every Level
MULTIVAC is expanding its automation portfolio for meat and poultry processors, offering everything from basic conveyors and labelers to advanced robots, artificial‑intelligence platforms, smart services, checkweighing, metal detection, and X‑ray inspection. The company emphasizes end‑to‑end engineering, integration, and ongoing support...
Pig Stunning Options Raise Welfare and Processing Tradeoffs
The EU‑funded PigStun project compared carbon dioxide, argon and helium for stunning pigs at commercial speeds. While all gases caused aversion, CO₂ produced the quickest loss of posture, whereas argon and helium extended both loss‑posture and excitation times. Argon and...
The Big Bird Challenge Is Testing Poultry Plant Design
U.S. poultry processors are confronting a shift toward heavier birds, prompting redesign of plant layouts and equipment. USDA data shows average live weight rising, driving a 1.6% annual growth in total pounds while bird count grows modestly. Larger carcasses stress...
Singing Pastures Lands Investment From Bullish to Scale Meat Snacks
Bullish, a consumer investment and marketing firm, has invested in Singing Pastures, a woman‑owned meat snack brand that uses bone broth, collagen, fermentation and slow‑cooking. The terms of the deal were not disclosed. Singing Pastures already sells in more than...
Panera Expands Bread Bowl Concept with Italian Stuffer Roll
Panera Bread is launching a new menu category called Salad Stuffers, which pair its freshly baked Italian Stuffer Roll with a full‑size salad. The concept expands the brand’s iconic bread‑bowl format beyond soup to include two chef‑crafted options – the...
CoBank Commodity Report Flags Rising Input Cost Pressures
CoBank’s latest Knowledge Exchange report warns that soaring diesel and fertilizer costs are outpacing gains in grain prices, tightening budgets for U.S. farmers and rural businesses. Diesel spikes could add roughly $2,000 per farmer, while fertilizer inputs have risen 20‑40%...
Meat Institute Emerging Leaders Pass the Torch for 2026
The Meat Institute launched its Emerging Leader Class of 2026, a year‑long development program that selects roughly 24 high‑potential professionals from retail, processing, packaging and related sectors. Participants receive mentorship from senior executives, attend seminars on leadership, crisis communication and...
The Spotted Trotter Draws Inspiration and Innovation From US Food Artisans
The Spotted Trotter, founded by Kevin and Megan Ouzts 17 years ago, has grown from a 100‑square‑foot kitchen to an 8,000‑square‑foot Atlanta facility producing "New American Charcuterie" using locally sourced, humanely raised meats. The brand offers 17 salami lines and...
Lottie’s Meats Partners with a Grocery Delivery Service
Lottie’s Meats, a Denver‑based pork sausage brand, announced a partnership with grocery‑delivery service Misfits Market to sell its four premium sausage and ground‑pork lines nationwide. The collaboration lets customers order The Lottie, Bratwurst, Calabrian and Everyday products online, extending the...
Oklahoma Judge Rejects Settlements in Ongoing Poultry Waste Case
A federal judge in Oklahoma dismissed a $31 million settlement reached by Tyson Foods, Cargill, George’s and Peterson Farms over phosphorus pollution in the Illinois River Watershed. The companies had agreed to fund remediation after a 2025 judgment held them liable...
Fresh Gourmet Rethinks Bacon Pieces Placement with Produce Rollout
Fresh Gourmet, the salad‑topping specialist, has introduced two new bacon‑piece products—one real and one uncured. Unlike its traditional placement in the center aisles, the company will stock the items alongside fresh vegetables in the produce department. The move is framed...
Growing Hispanic Pork Demand Shapes National Pork Board Campaign
The National Pork Board launched the "Explora Todo El Gusto Del Pork" campaign to spark long‑term pork demand among Hispanic Gen Z and Millennial consumers, who make up 40% of the U.S. Hispanic population. The initiative highlights pork’s flavor, versatility and...
Dietary Guidelines’ Protein Push Collides with Grocery Budgets
The 2025‑2030 Dietary Guidelines for Americans push a protein‑heavy food pyramid, prompting Numerator’s analysis that full compliance would lift per‑person grocery spending by 32% to $106‑$139 per month, or roughly $1,012 annually. The new recommendations boost protein servings by 91%...