USDA Invests $2.17 Million to Expand Iowa Meat Processing Capacity, Strengthen Competition and Support Ranchers

(Des Moines, Iowa, November 2, 2026) - Recently, Vice President J.D. Vance and U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced that processors in 40 states would receive $57 million through the Meat and Poultry Processing Expansion Program (MPPEP), this includes $2.171 million for two Iowa processors to expand their capacity and create new and better markets.

"Iowa farmers and ranchers have been striving to meet increasing demands for locally raised meat and poultry products," said Director Sexton. "Under the leadership of President Trump and Secretary of Agriculture Rollins, USDA is taking action to spur meat industry productivity and foster value-added farming and ranching practices that lead to a strengthened food supply chain. We know these USDA investments will bring value to rural communities and businesses."

In Iowa, the following processors received MPPEP grants:

• Dayton Meats Products received a $171,459 grant. Dayton Meat Products, located in Malcom in Poweshiek County, will use grant funds to purchase and install meat processing equipment to expand value-added meat processing capacity, alleviate a key production bottleneck, improve efficiency, enhance food safety and product consistency, and increase opportunities for independent livestock producers and toll-processing customers. The new equipment will enable greater production of smoked and cooked meat products, reduce processing delays, support business growth, and create additional jobs.
• Upper Iowa Beef received a $2,000,000 grant. Upper Iowa Beef, an independently owned beef harvest and processing facility in Lime Springs in Howard County, opened in 2017. MPPEP funds will be used to address key bottlenecks related to animal harvest, offal and byproducts, and warehousing. As a result of these improvements, the business will create dozens of new jobs and increase procurement of local cattle.

MPPEP is managed by USDA Rural Development's Rural Business-Cooperative Services and provides grants to help eligible independent processors expand their capacity. USDA Rural Development designed the program to encourage competition and sustainable growth in the United States meat processing sector and improve supply chain resiliency.

USDA has awarded more than $200 million to independent businesses under the MPPEP program. These projects have created thousands of jobs across the country. Learn more about USDA's investments to strengthen the meat and poultry supply chain at usda.gov/meat .

For more information on USDA Rural Development investments in rural America, visit the Rural Data Gateway . The Rural Data Gateway is an online tool that strengthens USDA Rural Development partnerships with rural people, entrepreneurs, government officials and Congress by making Rural Development's investment data accessible to the public. For more information about USDA Rural Development programs, visit http://www.rd.usda.gov .

To subscribe to USDA Rural Development updates, visit the GovDelivery subscriber page .

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