MFBF Identifies Needs Of Livestock Producers For Slaughter, Meat Processing

Jul 27, 2021

By Katelyn Parsons

The Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation (MFBF) is pleased to release the results from its’ survey to assess the needs of livestock producers for slaughter and meat processing. To view a PDF copy of the results, please click here.

The results are from 144 livestock producers, 89 of whom finished the entire survey. While the organization wished more producers had completed the survey, due to time constraints and summer being busy season, it is pleased with the responses to this survey.

“One of the key takeaways from the survey was that our producers have difficulty getting appointments at their local slaughterhouses due to such high demand,” said MFBF President Mark Amato. “Producers need facilities that are near their farms and that can schedule timely appointments. Survey comments even discussed the need to schedule appointments before livestock is born and the difficulties that creates.”

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Video: Methionine Requirements for Lactating Sows - Cierra Kozole

In this episode of The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, Cierra Kozole, PhD candidate in Swine Nutrition at the University of Guelph, explains how methionine supports lactating sows beyond milk protein synthesis. She discusses updated requirement estimates, source comparisons, methylation demand, and why modern sow genetics may require more precise amino acid strategies. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Methionine supports protein synthesis while also serving critical functions through methylation pathways that influence multiple biological processes."

Meet the guest: Cierra Kozole / cierra-kozole-772b64253 is a PhD candidate in Swine Nutrition at the University of Guelph in Canada. Her doctoral research focuses on refining estimates of methionine requirements for primiparous lactating sows, including evaluating methionine sources, nutrient partitioning, methylation reactions, and the links among amino acid supply, milk production, and sow protein retention. Learn more from Cierra Kozole on The Swine Nutrition Blackbelt Podcast, available on all major platforms.