Meat & Poultry

When it comes to food, the alternatives are endless: spicy or bland; Mexican, Italian, Asian or Southern-style comfort dishes. But when it comes to beef, almost everyone agrees on a few features. “Consumers tell us that higher fat levels are more desirable; they like it better,” says Mark Miller, meat scientist at Texas Tech University. “We’ve found that marbling level has a really big impact on the consumer’s desire for beef.”

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Pork stockpiles in the U.S. were 6.7 percent higher on March 31 than a year earlier, the government said. Beef supplies were the highest ever for the date. …

Increased visibility, high perceived value, and greater customer convenience all come together in this vibrant turkey carry pouch developed by Flair Flexible Packaging for Mr. Pavo® brand turkeys of PRONACA (Quito, Ecuador). …

Consumers are asking for more local meat. Farmers are stepping up to supply it. Interested parties in between — from distribution specialists to would-be butchers — are moving in to fill the gap. …

More than 600 farmers and supporters of poultry — including Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley — gathered Wednesday night to salute the industry that is an economic driver of the Delmarva economy. And despite harsh criticism by industry critics and slipping profits, there was much to celebrate at the Delmarva Poultry Industry's 56th annual Booster Banquet. …