A new economic study shows Iowa cattle producers are currently transporting about one million head of cattle out of state each year causing the state to miss out on significant opportunities for more jobs, income, economic activity and tax revenues. Those are the findings by noted economist Ernie Goss of Creighton University. Goss conducted the study to see the impact of a new beef processing facility being proposed for southwestern Iowa. Plans are underway for the new Cattlemen’s Heritage processing plant which is proposed to handle up to 1500 head of cattle each day. Goss says the big thing about the new facility is it will create more competition, which should lead to higher prices for cattle producers.
Goss says the new facility will allow cattle to be transported to a closer location and not as likely to suffer shrinkage, or weight loss. He says the new facility will add several jobs to the area.
Goss says the new Cattlemen’s Heritage processing company will employ approximately 3.9 times the number of workers and have a worker wage 23.4% greater than the average payroll.
