Episode 44 | This week, Katie Olthoff sits down with Rebecca Thistlethwaite of the Niche Meat Processors Assistance Network (NMPAN), a national Oregon State University–housed extension community serving small/very small processors and direct-market producers with free membership, webinars, and no-cost technical assistance. They discuss how, since 2020’s extreme backlog, many plants now face low utilization—especially in beef—due to a smaller cattle herd, pushing processors to market for business via basic websites, online cut-sheet forms, and testimonials.

She emphasizes building long-term producer–processor partnerships, transparent yield data to reduce disputes, and feedback on carcass finish; USDA remote grading is growing mainly for larger “small” plants and retail channels. Key processor challenges include rising production costs (utilities, disposal, packaging), labor, and inconsistent volume; solutions discussed include energy upgrades, composting/digesters, labor-saving equipment, and diversification through retail counters, consignment freezers, wholesale, and value-added products. They note MPEP grant interest and a modest increase in independent poultry processing, and Rebecca highlights untapped innovation potential in U.S. pork marketing.

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Chapters

• 00:28 Pandemic Processing Crunch
• 01:32 What NMPAN Does
• 02:33 Top NMPAN Resources
• 04:42 Utilization Drops and Marketing
• 08:09 Websites and Online Cut Sheets
• 11:39 Building Producer Processor Trust
• 15:12 Yield Data and Transparency
• 19:15 Remote Grading and Quality
• 23:04 Today’s Biggest Processor Challenges
• 25:35 Energy Waste and Labor Solutions
• 28:30 Disposal Options Incinerators Digesters
• 30:28 Carcass Waste Solutions
• 32:22 Retail Counters Boost Margins
• 34:11 Meat Vending Machines
• 35:12 Freezer Consignment Deals
• 37:48 Wholesale Routes and Risks
• 41:16 Value Added Sausage Strategy
• 42:52 Restaurant Sales Reality
• 44:20 MPEP Grant Breakdown
• 48:55 Inspected Poultry Trends
• 51:55 Pork Innovation Opportunity