Montana Farmers Union to Start Livestock Harvesting Coop.

November 12, 2020

Montana Farmers Union is planning to start a livestock harvesting cooperative as well as assisting MSU Northern in developing a meat processors curriculum.

The curriculum at MSU Northern will be the first of its kind in the USA. The program will begin with harvesting, moving through processing to retail. In addition, students will learn business management, regulations and marketing. This will provide the local meat processing industry with much needed butchers, plant managers, and inspectors. As the curriculum develops and more meat processors become trained, the USDA-certified cooperative mobile slaughtering business model can be expanded throughout the state.

The livestock harvesting cooperative will benefit both livestock producers and butchers by providing a facility to harvest livestock with a USDA inspected ‘for sale’ stamp as well as provide the opportunity for them to control their own destiny.

Montana Farmers Union is seeking advisory committee members to support MSU Norther develop the curriculum, as well as producers and butchers to join the cooperative and be on its managing board.

For interested parties and further information contact:

Walter Schweitzer
406-799-3782
schweitzer@montana.com