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Wisconsin’s mobile meat cutting training units “under construction”

Wisconsin’s Ag Secretary says a key part of the state’s Meat Talent Development Program is being prepared now.  Randy Romanski tells Brownfield the mobile slaughter rigs will allow the Wisconsin Technical College System to train new meat cutters where the need is greatest. “They’re producing three of them and as of right now, the units are currently being constructed but they should be ready by late summer in time for the fall semester.”

Romanski says his agency will be meeting with the technical college system for updates on the meat processing curriculum for nine of their campuses. “As of right now, they’re planning on basing one at Madison College, one at Northwoods Technical College, and one at Northcentral.” He says the Rice Lake, Wausau, and Madison campuses will coordinate the use of the portable processing facilities.

Romanski says there are also training programs at some University of Wisconsin schools coming up, including some with tuition assistance, and the state’s Meat Processor Grant Program which has an application period open now for processors that wish to expand or make upgrades.

Another part of the state’s available training for meat processors includes the Basic Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) for Meat and Poultry Establishments Short Course at UW-Madison on Aug. 16-17, 2023. Information on how to register for the course will be released soon at https://meatsciences.cals.wisc.edu/event/basic-haccp-short-course. This program also offers tuition assistance.