Meat and Poultry Processing Top Stories

Insights with ADM: Soy protein's expanding role in meat extension, hybrid and plant-based products

bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

ADM says soy protein continues to gain momentum across both traditional meat applications and emerging plant-forward formats, driven by the need for cost efficiency, functionality and sensory performance.

Automation strategies expand beyond labor replacement

bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Processors balance labor shortages, production demand, and SKU complexity with more targeted automation and AI-driven decision-making.

Makers of foodservice meat and poultry solutions listening to consumers and operators

wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

People gotta eat – but they are increasingly looking for food-away-from-home value outside leading US restaurant chains.

Prime time for New Primal — meet our 2026 Processor of the Year

wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 13:00:00 -0400

New Primal’s investment in automated production enables embracing meat snacks' evolution from single-item sales to their growing presence in consumers’ pantries and kids’ lunchboxes.

Episode 229: Country Natural Beef's Tylor Braden shares insights on meeting consumer and retailer demands in the all-natural beef category

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:58:32 -0400

Country Natural Beef markets RaiseWell certified beef products through retailers including Whole Foods.

Where the Meat Industry Meets: SMA’s 70th Annual Convention

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Four-day event brings together packers, processors, suppliers and service providers for education and relationship-building.

Q&A: Rancher's Premium Smokehouse talks scaling a regional brand into larger retail distribution

bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) — Thu, 04 Jun 2026 07:00:01 -0400

Roland Dickey Jr., CEO of Rancher's Premium Smokehouse, discusses the brand's growth strategy, consumer flavor preferences, retail expansion efforts and the role authenticity plays in product development.

Chef Sean Wheaton discusses trends in adding value for proteins for foodservice

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 10:50:28 -0400

New product development for foodservice proteins aims to mitigate staffing challenges while enabling menu variety.

Validated thermal lethality data and a new tool for ensuring safety of RTE meats

Fri, 29 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

As RTE products continue to evolve and regulatory expectations remain high, success will depend on integrating solid microbiological science with practical processing knowledge.

FSIS Listeria control continues to tighten

stevens@foodindustrycounsel.com (Shawn K. Stevens) — Thu, 28 May 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Although FSIS regulations have not changed in any sweeping way, many processors feel the practical microbial standard they are held to has intensified.

Episode 228: Legacy Maker Farms repositions beef as a catalyst for interpersonal connection

Thu, 28 May 2026 07:00:42 -0400

Legacy Maker Farms leaders Steve Hershberger and Ian Baer discuss the company's new ownership, rebranding, and AI-driven strategy.

Transparency and convenient formats drive interest in natural and organic meat

bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) — Wed, 27 May 2026 00:00:00 -0400

Double-digit gains in claims-based meats highlight shifting consumer purchasing behaviors, with transparency, trust and convenient product formats driving momentum across retail and foodservice.

Dairy herd highest in three decades as beef markets boost returns

Tue, 26 May 2026 08:18:39 -0400

With fewer beef cows available, dairy cows now make up a larger share of the cow beef supply feeding America’s hamburger demand.

The hidden yield gap: What beef processors actually lose between the carcass and the box

Mon, 25 May 2026 06:30:15 -0400

Beef processors know their yield targets. Few know exactly where they're missing them, and what a 0.5% recovery is actually worth.

Protein demand drives snacking occasions

bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) — Fri, 22 May 2026 10:25:00 -0400

Premiumization and demand for nutrition-focused meat snacks bolsters category performance.

A smarter approach to sodium reduction in meat and poultry

Fri, 22 May 2026 09:28:07 -0400

Successful sodium reduction strategies hinge on preserving the satisfying savory profile consumers expect from processed meat and poultry products.

Safe Catch's Kevin McCay discusses clean label and frozen aisle opportunities

wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) — Thu, 21 May 2026 10:16:35 -0400

In this interview, Safe Catch COO Kevin McCay discusses protein opportunities in the frozen aisle, differences in consumer demand for clean label seafood products vs. other proteins, and how consumers’ heightened focus on protein in their diets is influencing the seafood category.

What meat and poultry processors should understand before purchasing or repurposing metal building systems

Fri, 15 May 2026 10:54:56 -0400

Ensuring a building's structural requirements meet processors' needs must be discussed early in the project planning process.

Beef and chicken fuel fresh meat growth

Thu, 14 May 2026 13:59:53 -0400

Despite inflation, the average price per pound in April 2026 for chicken and pork remains less than half that of beef.

Nutritionist and Link Snacks’ expert spokesperson Heidi Skolnik shares insights on protein trends

Wed, 13 May 2026 09:03:37 -0400

Insights include why she sees the beef tallow trend as nothing to celebrate -- and more!

Episode 227: Mike McCarthy of Foods Connected discusses software solutions for operational efficiency

Tue, 12 May 2026 10:19:33 -0400

Mike McCarthy shares insights on how production management software solutions can help processors navigate the constantly evolving variables of the meat industry.

Q&A: Charcuterie Artisans talks La Quercia acquisition, new Rhode Island innovation center

bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) — Mon, 11 May 2026 06:00:00 -0400

The National Provisioner sits down with John Brock, executive vice president of sales and marketing for Charcuterie Artisans.

Grass-Fed Beef Franks build on what made Nathan's famous

wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) — Thu, 07 May 2026 08:53:30 -0400

Brand line extension targets consumers prioritizing 'better-for-you' options.

Consumers embrace seafood as a grilling option

wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) — Wed, 06 May 2026 14:27:23 -0400

Consumers are looking for new ways to prepare seafood, including on the grill.

Episode 226: Charcuterie Artisans shares insights on evolution of the meat snack category

Wed, 06 May 2026 13:50:01 -0400

Michael Burgess, director of marketing for Charcuterie Artisans, discusses today's meat snack consumer and the trends shaping innovation across the category.

The Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors of 2026

wilkinsonf@bnpmedia.com (Fred Wilkinson) — Tue, 05 May 2026 08:00:00 -0400

The 2026 Top 100 Meat & Poultry Processors highlights a $112B market fueled by strong demand, premium trends and Gen Z influence, despite tight cattle supply, rising costs and shifting protein dynamics across beef, pork and poultry.

Why accurate labeling is critical for meat and poultry product compliance

Mon, 04 May 2026 07:16:35 -0400

Labels on meat and poultry can be considered legal documents, since inaccuracies, misrepresentations and intentionally misleading labels are legally accountable by the processor.

Membrane filtration: Driving yield and efficiency in protein processing

bredars@bnpmedia.com (Sammy Bredar) — Fri, 01 May 2026 14:40:53 -0400

Membrane filtration is moving beyond its traditional role as a wastewater treatment tool across the meat, poultry and seafood industries, as processors look to recover value from underutilized streams while reducing water, energy and raw material consumption.

79th Reciprocal Meat Conference returning to the Texas Panhandle

dmabry@meatscience.org (Deidrea Mabry) — Fri, 01 May 2026 10:20:06 -0400

RMC 2026 will convene leaders from across the meat and animal protein sectors for a forward-looking program focused on innovation, resilience, and navigating rapid change across the global protein landscape.

Data is king in processing line optimization

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:29:17 -0400

Emphasis on machine reliability and increasing output remain key motivators for processors' new equipment purchases.