Johnson’s Butcher Block Act Passes Unanimously in House Ag

Washington, D.C. – Today, in the U.S. House Agriculture Committee, legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.) passed unanimously out of the committee.

The Butcher Block Act is a bipartisan bill which would establish a loan program at United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development for new and expanding meat processors and finance producer investment to drive competition within the meat packing industry. Additionally, it would allocate grants to entities to increase hiring and processing capacity.

“Ranchers need more shackle space,” said Johnson. “The market is too concentrated and South Dakota cattle producers deserve more options on where to sell their product. I’m grateful USDA has begun implementing my bill already and I look forward to seeing the details of the program codified.”

Johnson along with Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) introduced the Butcher Block Act in June 2021 to expand processing capacity. Following the introduction of his legislation, in July 2021, the USDA announced its intent to provide $500 million in grants to expand meat and poultry processing capacity.