The National Provisioner

December 2020

Check out the December 2020 edition of The National Provisioner, featuring the 2021 economic outlook report, regulatory implications in the poultry industry associated with a presidential administration change, understanding metmyoglobin and meat discoloration, process control software and much more!

Cover Story | 2021 Economic Outlook

2021 Economic Outlook: the rocky road to recovery

Megan Pellegrini

December 10, 2020

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“2020 was a below-average year with moments of terror,” says Steve Meyer, Ph.D, an economist with Partners for Production Agriculture, based in Ames, Iowa.

Tech | Meat Science Review

Understanding metmyoglobin reduction pathways to limit meat discoloration

M.A. Scott, M.L. Denzer, G.G. Mafi and R. Ramanathan

December 11, 2020

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Food waste affects every American consumer. The United States wastes more than 84 million tons of edible food a year, and meat contributes 22 percent of the total food loss (Dou et al., 2016).

Tech | Processing

How to be savvy with software

Process control software is crucial for efficiently operating cattle ranches, pig farms and processing plants, but leveraging technology isn't easy.

Richard Mitchell

December 11, 2020

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Already a major element in efficient meat processing, process control software is increasingly important on ranches and farms.

Commentary | Poultry Perspectives

Regulatory implications associated with an administration change

Paul Bredwell, U.S. Poultry & Egg Association

December 11, 2020

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Shortly after taking office in January 2017, the current administration followed up on a commitment to control regulatory costs by reducing regulation.

Market Snapshot | Animal Slaughtering and Processing Production

Pandemic wreaks havoc on market predictability

Connor Lokar

December 14, 2020

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U.S. animal slaughtering and processing production (including poultry) during the three months through September was up 2.0 percent from one year ago.

Tech | Supplier's Perspective

Fleet life cycle cost management & e-commerce strategies are powering food distributors through 2020

Katerina Jones

December 14, 2020

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One word can easily describe the year organizations in the food, restaurant and grocery industries have had in 2020: Change.

Commentary | Fight for Food Safety

How the presidential election could affect the food and agriculture industry

Shawn K. Stevens

December 10, 2020

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While Election Day has passed and some legal challenges remain, barring some unforeseen event, the general consensus is that Joe Biden will likely take office on Jan. 20, 2021, as the 46th President of the United States.

Commentary | Regulations & Legislation

Regulatory roundup

John Dillard

December 11, 2020

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There have been several recent events of note that will impact meat and poultry producers and processors. The recent election of President-elect Biden means there will be new leadership at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Tech | Packaging

Chubs tick boxes on packaging wish list

Flexible packaging format appeals to consumers, retailers and processors.

Hallie Forcinio

December 12, 2020

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When a processor makes a packaging wish list, chub packaging ticks most of the boxes. Sustainable? Yes. Case-ready? Yes. Vibrant, full-color graphics? Yes.