Producer-Processor Communication
Local meat and poultry can’t get to market without a processor, but processors are pulled in many directions: producers would like more processing options, the kind of processing needed depends on the market, the regulations are complex, and even with premium-priced meats, the profit margins are slim. The producer-processor relationship is a complicated one- below are some resources to help you navigate it!
Research
For more on the producer-processor relationship, read the NMPAN Technical Report “From Convenience to Commitment: Securing the Long-Term Viability of Local Meat and Poultry Processing.”
Webinars
Understanding the Processor’s Language
The Executive Director of the American Association of Meat Processors explains how processors do what they do, from yield grades and cutting specifications, inspection and other regulatory requirements, meat handling and shelf life, improving communications with your processor, and more. The webinar was recorded in 2009 and is 60 minutes long.
The Executive Director of the American Association of Meat Processors explains how processors do what they do, from yield grades and cutting specifications, inspection and other regulatory requirements, meat handing and shelf life, improving communications with your processor, and more. The webinar was recorded in 2009 and is 60 minutes long.
Working Effectively with Your Processor
Date: August 24, 2011
Duration: 1 hour
On this webinar, Kathleen Harris of the Northeast Livestock Processing Company spoke about how producers and processors can work more effectively together to overcome common problems. Bruce Dunlop of Island Grown Farmers Cooperative described the processing scheduling system their group uses for its own processing facilities.
Educating Your Processing Customers: Customer Manuals
Date: February 27, 2013
Time: 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern, for 1 hour
Some processors give their new processing customers a “how to work with us” manual, to help with the education process. On this webinar, we learned about manuals used by two small plants: Wells Jenkins Wells, in North Carolina, and Homegrown Poultry, in Idaho. We also showed an online model you can use to write your own.
