Alaska Ag....The Crisis 2.0

In yet another huge challenge facing Alaska livestock owners, comes the rumor floating all over:

MMM&S might close, in as little as three weeks or so.

No one really seems to know the true cause of what might be happening there-despite the bargain basement price for the plant, it may not be viable for anyone, ever. Or it could be internal squabbles, or personnel, or personal reasons, or any combination of them. The State's continued poor economy no doubt contributed, as did the State's historical ag choices-Directors, BAC members, policies, the whole shebang.

Whatever the cause, this is of grave concern to those Alaskans hanging on by a thread, producing locally grown livestock for discerning buyers. For without a functioning USDA plant with it's all important "stamp", there will be no Southcentral grown lamb chops, pork butts, or beef pot roasts for sale locally. 

This will cripple Alaska food production for quite some time, should it come to pass.

Just think about this issue, the next time you are in a chain grocery store, and select the imported products, instead of the Alaska grown. And how dependent you are, upon the continued stream of shipping containers making their way through the Port of Alaska.