A survey conducted by three Minnesota agricultural groups of livestock producers in the state shows small and mid-sized processing is limited. That processing has become a great need during the pandemic while larger processors were shutdown or had to cut back. Minnesota Pork Producers Association President Dave Mensink says the smaller processors are seeing more business due to rising demand from consumers.

He says most of their packing plants have gotten back up to higher processing capacity and many smaller processors are also working hard to get through the backlog of hogs that need processing.

Mensink says having more smaller and mid-sized processers in place not only helps producers but also is beneficial for consumers as it would keep more money in local communities.

Mensink says what also would help is legislation that’s been introduced at the national level to allow the sale of state inspected meat across state lines.