Meat processing growing in Montana

SIDNEY, M.T. (KUMV) – Meat processing is a tough enterprise to get into, however vegetation like Japanese Montana Meats in Sidney, Montana proceed to develop in that business.

Since opening in December 2020, Japanese Montana Meats has confronted many challenges to get to the place they’re immediately. The plant processes greater than 120 head a day, which is greater than double the amount in comparison with a yr in the past. Their meat travels all throughout the nation.

“We’ve shipped meat to Miami to Dallas weekly. Chicago to Minneapolis weekly, and we’re going out to Seattle,” stated Steve Lunderby, who owns the plant along with his sons.

The business is a rising commodity for Montana. Final month, the state Division of Livestock reported that almost 69,000 animals have been processed this yr, which is greater than double the quantity at that time final yr. Officers say state investments within the business and native assist are a few of the causes for the rise.

“We nonetheless assume there’s that giant curiosity domestically making an attempt to supply extra meat domestically in retail and in addition customers at residence wanting to purchase extra meat for his or her freezers. They’re not as reliant on these provide chains that broke down throughout covid,” stated Mike Honeycutt, Govt Director of the Montana Division of Livestock.

Lunderby says there was numerous assist from the state degree to assist Japanese Montana Meats develop. The plant lately acquired a $450,000 grant that will probably be used to develop and buy tools upgrades.

“They’re getting some critical {dollars} on the market that may assist make a few of these tasks profitable,” stated Lunderby.

For now, Lunderby’s largest precedence going ahead is enhancing effectivity to have the ability to compete with larger services. Japanese Montana Meats continues to develop, however Lunderby is set to ensure his product is the perfect it may be.

Lunderby says the plant will probably be able to processing as much as 400 head a day within the subsequent few years with extra automation.

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