Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Cash flow and product profitability analysis and improvement for small meat processors

Project ID: M2007-16

Abstract

Education on financial management techniques, individual assistance, and valuable information was provided to several of Iowa's small meat processing firms.

Key Question: How can farmers learn to price their products appropriately?

Findings: An Iowa farmer can learn how to price alternative products such as specialty grains, meats and table food items. For example, an ISU extension specialist plans to utilize the project's costing system to price specialty soybean products, such as oils, for markets. The specialty soybeans are grown by a consortium of Iowa farmers. Another example is the hog producer who attended a recent Leopold Center conference, who could use the costing method to price his custom-processed products for the retail market.

Lead investigator: Veryl Anders, ISU Center for Industrial Research and Service, et al

Year of grant completion: 2008

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

Topics: Business management, distribution and marketing, Niche meat, dairy and poultry