For the first time in recent memory, there is a new company at the top of The National Provisioner's annual Top 100 Meat and Poultry Processors Report. Backed by growth in its beef and pork divisions, JBS Holdings holds the top spot in this year’s survey of the meat and poultry industry.

The news headlines of the past year have been dominated by upheaval and uncertainty, but the stories surrounding the meat and poultry industry were more positive. Those stories were a part of the largely positive response from the industry to this year’s annual Top 100 Processors Report.

President at Certified Angus Beef John Stika spoke with editor-in-chief Andy Hanacek about all the contributions to setting a record one billion pounds in sales. Plus, Stika discusses what the future may hold with uncertain economic predictions.

Average U.S. Animal Slaughtering and Processing Production during the 12 months through September was up 1.9 percent; however, the pace of growth has slowed since January.

The year 2016 was a far less dramatic year for the beef, pork and poultry industries and provided breathing room for industry participants to absorb last year’s sluggish export sales, large animal supplies and falling prices.

Average U.S. beef production in the 12 months through May was up 0.9 percent compared with last year and up for the ninth consecutive month.