Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Functional quality management systems for livestock producers

Project ID: M2006-03

Abstract

Quality management systems programs were used to help farmers (niche market producers, a Midwest cooperative of pork producers, and other livestock producers) improve their management techniques and cost-control skills and increase market access.

Key Question: Will livestock producers adopt a systematic management approach of continuous improvement and document their production practices to refine their management and satisfy requirements of customers?

Findings: Farmers react to market access requirements but are reluctant to develop and implement formal management systems without an immediate payoff. Early adopters of quality management systems will be better able to react to market opportunities than will those that have to adopt before they qualify.

Lead investigator: John Lawrence, Iowa Beef Center, et al

Year of grant completion: 2009

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Marketing Initiative.

Topics: Market research and feasibility studies, Niche meat, dairy and poultry