Meat+Poultry - April 2023 - 18

COVER STORY
" If this type of model were more available
across the United States, it would kind of
alleviate some of that concern, because you
would you know where your cattle was going
because you would be a part of it, " Theiler said.
" So, I think that's a big benefit. "
Twenty years of processing experience at
Scarcity of materials and
machinery, and sporadic
lead times, all played a
role in the unconventional
decision making involved
in building True West Beef.
than what is seen in many processing plants
today. Theiler said as a greenfield plant where
construction began before COVID and finished
during and after the pandemic, the more
spacious floor plan reflects the mindfulness of
some of the lessons learned during that crisis.
A NEW MODEL
The success of Agri Beef's brands, experience
and success on the live side and success and
experience in processing all added up to the
new business model that would emerge as True
West Beef. The evolution occurred when Agri
Beef partnered with about 40 of its ranching
family suppliers. The partner ranchers'
investment in True West includes a pledge to
put cattle through the new plant. After COVID
complicated, and in some cases disrupted the
supply chain, many livestock suppliers and
feedlot operators didn't know how or where
they would get their cattle slaughtered.
18 MEAT+POULTRY | 04.23 | www.meatpoultry.com
Washington Beef has prepared Agri Beef to
step into the managing partner role of the True
West Beef venture. That understanding of beef
processing ensures the rancher partners that
the processing side of the business will run
smoothly, and all they need to worry about is
the business they know, cattle production. The
nature of the two sides creates expertise in
the fusion of two different businesses from the
ranch to the package.
" We have partners who are invested and
providing the supply, " Theiler said. " So, we
know where the supply is coming from. We
know how to make the product as Agri Beef
has been in the business of processing since
2003, and then you have the demand side with
the brands. Some of our families invested
because they knew they would have demand
for the product. So, it wasn't like we had to go
create new a new market. "
Of the Agri Beef brands, True West Beef will
produce Double R Ranch Northwest Beef, as
well as a True West Beef brand. In the future,
Agri Beef's premium Snake River Farms brand
might be produced at the new facility, but for
now, it will focus on the True West and Double
R Ranch brands.
" Those two brands initially with the new
brand being something we wanted to give an
identity to this plant, " Theiler said.
Agri Beef brands go to both foodservice and
retail and like any company, it will try to match
the new True West Beef brand to a customer
base that looks for the same quality and match
production to those customers.
The business model also includes
opportunities for producers and feedlots
that aren't equity partners to process cattle
through the new plant. True West will offer
co-packing opportunities to non-investors for
branded programs owned by other producers
or cooperatives as well. Whether Agri Beef is
branded or co-packed, the Jerome location
also will facilitate efficient distribution.
" If you look at the highway system where
we're located, we're 7 miles north of I-84,
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