The National Provisioner

09/10/2026

Recent coverage from The National Provisioner looks at industry leadership, beef policy and workforce developments.

Top stories include:
• Meat Industry Hall of Fame transitions to new ownership
• Trump orders beef labeling review, stronger packer enforcement
• National Beef Dodge City workers ratify five-year union contract

Read more of the latest at ProvisionerOnline.com

09/10/2026

Can regenerative cattle production influence the nutritional characteristics of beef?

Applegate is exploring that question through new testing and research focused on beef as part of its broader Regenerative Health initiative, which examines how regenerative agricultural practices may influence the nutritional quality of food.

See what the company found in its latest testing: https://brnw.ch/21x5AA4

Applegate’s Regenerative Health initiative uses product testing and funded research to explore how cattle production practices may influence beef nutrient composition.

09/09/2026

What research does the poultry industry see as most important over the next two years?

USPOULTRY has set its 2026–2028 research priorities, outlining where the association plans to focus funding as the industry responds to emerging challenges in processing, food safety, poultry health, efficiency and other key areas.

See which issues made the agenda and how the priorities will guide future research funding: https://brnw.ch/21x5yXx



Photo courtesy of Pixabay

09/09/2026

Robotics is moving deeper into US packaging and processing operations, and investment is expected to accelerate over the next several years.

A new PMMI: The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies report projects the market will grow from more than $440 million in 2025 to about $800 million by 2031 as processors prioritize productivity, cost reduction, quality and consistency.

Which technologies are gaining the most ground, and what is still slowing adoption? Read more: https://brnw.ch/21x5yzs

New report from PMMI offers a data-rich look at the technologies, investment priorities and adoption challenges reshaping US packaging and processing operations.

09/08/2026

New federal directives could reshape several parts of the beef supply chain, from labeling and packer oversight to processing access.

President Donald Trump’s Sept. 4 executive orders call for a review of mandatory country-of-origin labeling, stronger Packers and Stockyards Act enforcement and expanded support for small and regional processors.

Industry groups are already split on what a return to mandatory COOL could mean. Read more: https://brnw.ch/21x5xfY



Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

09/08/2026

Limited floor space and equipment downtime are practical concerns for processors evaluating packaging automation.

Next month at Pack Expo International in Chicago, SOMIC Packaging will demonstrate its compact Somic 202 for automated, shelf-ready packaging, alongside digital tools that combine machine-sequence video and diagnostic data to help teams investigate equipment faults.

Read what the systems offer ahead of their North American debuts: https://brnw.ch/21x5wPE



Photo courtesy of Somic Packaging

09/07/2026

How can poultry processors identify workplace safety risks before they lead to injuries?

At the 2026 National Safety Conference for the Poultry Industry, safety leaders focused on moving from reactive measures to proactive prevention, from leading indicators and serious injury and fatality prevention to earlier reporting of ergonomic concerns.

Read the key takeaways from the conference: https://brnw.ch/21x5vyU



Photo courtesy of USPOULTRY

09/07/2026

On Friday, UFCW Local 2 announced that workers at National Beef's Dodge City, Kan., processing plant ratified a new five-year collective bargaining agreement.

The contract includes wage increases, a ratification bonus, improved health coverage and additional paid time off and bereavement leave. UFCW Local 2 represents workers in slaughter, fabrication, shipping and maintenance at the plant.

Read more: https://brnw.ch/21x5v6V



Photo credit: Getty Images: Edafoto

09/06/2026

MANE's acquisition of Florida-based Cvista could expand flavor development options for meat and poultry processors using citrus in marinades, sauces, seasonings and prepared products.

The acquisition adds US-based citrus oil processing, extraction, distillation and pilot-scale capabilities to Mane's portfolio, along with a new Citrus and Beverage Center of Excellence in Florida.

Learn more: https://brnw.ch/21x5u0v



Photo courtesy of Mane

09/06/2026

US beef export value climbed 6% year over year in July while volume held steady, supported by strong demand in markets including Taiwan, Mexico and Japan.

Pork exports moved in the opposite direction, with both volume and value down 6% as PRV-related restrictions continued to affect shipments during the month.

Through the first seven months of 2026, however, pork exports remained above last year’s pace.

Read more: https://brnw.ch/21x5tQ4



Photo credit: Getty Images: ShaneKato