Before we head further into a year that promises to bring more challenges and opportunities, I thought I'd offer some reflection on a topsy-turvy 2023 through the words of industry professionals throughout the year.

From adapting to AI and automation to new laws like California's Prop 12, our interview subjects offered colorful perspectives on the ever-changing dynamics of the industry in 2023.

Here are the best quotes, in no particular order:

“Ultimately, these companies want to mimic our product. So, who better than us to make that product for them?” — Abel Olivera, CEO, Jensen Meat Co., on manufacturing plant-based meat alternatives

“Animal welfare claims are not going away. Diversifying the portfolio to appeal to California, Massachusetts, or segments of consumers in other states — even without a legal requirement to do so — may be the business case for this.” — Altin Kalo, economist, Steiner Consulting, on processors transitioning to Prop 12-compliant operations

“At the end of the day, this is an administration that wants to clearly state whose side we’re on.” — Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, on USDA’s revisions to the Packers and Stockyards Act in favor of contract farmers

“What happens in most universities around the country is, if you have five faculty and two retire, you may get to replace one. There’s going to be a tipping point. The industry needs to ask the question: How sturdy is the pipeline?” — Russell Cross, Texas A&M animal science professor, on the decline of collegiate meat science departments nationwide

“Something you see a lot is how some employers implement technology as a technological solution to a non-technological problem.” — Kathryn Zickuhr, senior policy analyst, Washington Center for Equitable growth, on processors’ early adoption of some smart technologies

“To my knowledge, this is the first time where a pound of beef is actually cheaper than a dozen eggs. It’s incredible,” Anne-Marie Roerink, principal, 210 Analytics, on consumer buying decisions in an inflationary market

“Some people wait to get to the fork in the road — we brought the fork closer to us.” — Seth Mosner, president, Mosner Family Brands, on accelerating a shift in business strategy

“If I had a magic wand, I think the way we talk about food safety would be adapted to the new world.” — Dr. J Emilio Esteban, USDA undersecretary for food safety

“Whether it’s your people or contract people, if something happens in your plant, it’s still on you locally and nationally. It’s in the public eye.” — Buzz Samuelsson, retired operations executive, on the fallout of PSSI hiring minors to clean meatpacking plants

“There’s no serial number on a package of chicken.” — Keith Lewis, vice president of CargoNet, on the difficulty of combatting a rise in meat and poultry theft

“If you’re in the cattle business today, you’re doing business with Walmart — like it or not.” Trey Wasserburger, part owner of Sustainable Beef LLC, on the producer-led company’s partnership with Walmart

“I’ve ultimately decided if animals are raised well, that we’re living up to our obligation as humans to those animals. When we do that, there’s nothing ethically problematic about eating them.” — Nicolette Hahn Niman, attorney, rancher and author of “Defending Beef,” on her transition from vegetarian to meat eater

“I think some processors are behind the times on automation, and starting the process now is difficult when equipment manufacturers are 10 years ahead of the processor’s knowledge.” — Chris Williams, senior VP operations and business development, Pineland Farms Natural Meats, on the challenge of processors implementing advanced technology amidst labor and training constraints

Here's looking forward to another quoteworthy year in the meat industry in 2024.

Best quotes of 2023

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