Oxbow Livestock Processing Facility

The USDA FSIS Meat, Poultry, and Egg Product Directory reports, there are 22 USDA Inspected Facilities for processing beef in Kentucky. Additionally, there are estimated to be more than 10 USDA Custom Exempt processors around the state. Being as there are so few beef processors in the state, the Anderson County Extension Agent, Anderson County Ag Development Board, University Extension Specialists, Kentucky Center for Agriculture and Rural Development, Governors Office of Ag Policy, and other Extension offices and Ag Development Boards in the region prioritized and facilitated the implementation of a USDA Inspected processing facility to Anderson County.

The Anderson County Extension Agent worked with the two owners of Oxbow Processing Facility to help them build a fundamental understanding of meat processing as possible before requesting funds from State and Local Government Programs.  This understanding was accomplished through processing facility visits, communication with food science specialists, industry analysis, and meetings with meat marketers of varying capacities.  Meetings with local elected officials were also conducted to discuss potential externalities from the processing facility.

Over the last year, Oxbow Processing Facility was able to obtain the State and Federal funds as well as the “high priority” status required to build its facility in Anderson County. The facility has the potential to help beef, hog, lamb, and goat producers in the bluegrass region of the state. This facility will not only helps alleviate some of the bottlenecks in the processing industry around Kentucky created by Covid-19 but also create jobs for the community as well as reduce input costs for Anderson County Producers.  

Continuing to help the Oxbow navigate both marketing and production through educational programming in addition to resource building is a significant priority for Anderson County. Producers have indicated their willingness to be a part of building a successful meat processing supply chain in the community. Educational opportunities for product quality control and regulatory needs have been requested.