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Abstract
Excerpts from the report: Many farmers and farm groups continue to be interested in handling some livestock through cooperative meatpacking plants. This desire to own and operate their own slaughtering, processing, and merchandising facilities increases during periods of low livestock prices and small feeding margins, although interest is not confined to such times. Present interest in cooperative meat-processing needs to be accompanied by adequate research to determine the feasibility of entering this business. Plant location, availability of livestock, competition, outlets for products, type of operation, support by local farmers, and available transportation need to be studied closely before making a definite decision to open a plant. Analysis of these factors should enable farmers to avoid some pitfalls and trouble spots responsible for failures in the past. Knowledge of what has caused failure, as given in the pages following, will also help in initial planning for such a venture.