As part of the Agricultural appropriations, the Minnesota State Legislature allocated 1.5 million dollars to assist smaller size meat processing facilities and locker plants.  Minnesota Farmers Union lobbyist, Stu Lourey says besides the funding for the drought relief bill, the Minnesota Farmers Union had set this as a high priority.  Lourey says four companies process more than 85 percent of the nation’s cattle, which leads to concentration within the industry.  He says that doesn’t allow producers or consumers a fair price.

The Minnesota Farmers Union official says a component of the appropriation is to direct funds to help younger people learn about the meat processing industry.

Lourey says the Minnesota Farmers Union believes the program will offer livestock producers more market availability.