Contents February 2006 Volume 52 No. 2 18 22 28 Sausage smarts Sticking it out Pushing pork Processing intelligence pays off The Sausage Shoppe perseveres through difficult years Processors keep pork vibrant with innovation in foodservice and retail 34 38 50 Integrating success Got dairy? Texas hold'em Seaboard Foods uses partnerships, acquisition to keep its momentum Using dairy as an ingredient in processed meats Processors go 'all in' at The Annual Meat Conference March 12-14 22 28 News & Opinion The Front Page 38 Departments Late breaking news ....... 3 International News & Trends Commentary A.I. challenging U.S. chicken processors ...... 14 Pork's tipping point ........ 8 Advertising Index ......... 65 Classified Ads .............. 62 Names in the News ...... 61 News from Suppliers.... 60 Product Showcase ........ 56 The Insider ................. 66 Washinton Business Notes News briefs from around the industry ..... 10 U.S.D.A. looks at riskbased inspections ........ 15 Labor Immigration frustration .................... 54 On the cover: Illustration by Brent Engstrom www.MEATPOULTRY.com I February 2006 I MEAT&POULTRY I 7http://www.MEATPOULTRY.com