A recent Federal Court decision slowing line speeds at meat processing plants if left unchanged will result in a 2.5 percent loss in pork packing capacity nationwide. That’s according to an analysis done by Iowa State University Economist Dr. Dermot Hayes who also says that will lead to a more than $80 million reduced income for small pork producers.
He says the effects of the slower line speeds and packer plant slowdowns will happen this fall.
Hayes says the USDA could appeal the court’s decision but would need to act quickly as the ruling takes effect July 1.
The National Pork Producers Council is urging the USDA to appeal the decision. NPPC President Jen Sorenson says the lives of many hog farmers will be upended if this misguided ruling takes effect.
