South Dakota Stockgrowers Association Executive Director James Halverson last week met with key USDA officials and White House staff to talk about funding from the American Rescue plan they’re providing for meat processors to increase that capacity.

He says he told the White House and USDA officials that most of the funding they’re putting out should go to the smaller and medium sized processors to ensure better competition in the industry.

Halverson says the medium and smaller sized processors also need help from the Administration and USDA to provide investment in training and education for processing workers as their facing a shortage of those right now.

Halverson says he’d like to see the Administration and the USDA utilize funds to help processors upgrade equipment and technology which will help expand processing capacity.