03/29/1995

Food Technology Institute Joins Forces with S&C Beef Processors

AUBURN, Ala. - An agreement has been reached between S&C Beef Processors LLC of Montgomery and the Auburn University Food Technology Institute (FTI) to provide $55,000 for the next three years to fund research and extension efforts that benefit the food processing industry.

The agreement was signed Feb. 24 as an Industrial Partner Program with FTI to facilitate the discovery, synthesis, application and dissemination of new knowledge and products for the food processing sector.

S&C Beef is an industrial firm engaged in processing, marketing and distribution of meat and meat products. It is a joint venture of the Simplot Corporation of Idaho and ConAgra Fresh Meat Company of Colorado.

The agreement allows for S&C to give a total of $55,000 over a three-year period to the FTI to support FTI's research and extension programs. After the three-year trial period, the agreement may also be reinstated annually.

S&C will be taking lean cows and bulls, which are the by-products of Alabama's cow-calf industry, and use these to provide lean beef to the food service industry. The FTI will be looking, among other things, at new ways to use lean beef, providing consumers and the food service sector with new products.

The FTI was established in 1993 to bridge the gap from food production to the consumer on local, national and international levels. According to FTI Director Dale Huffman, the organization's goal is to bring together people from many disciplines who already are working on food production, processing, marketing, distribution and preparation issues. FTI teams could include more than 60 faculty from food science and nutrition; engineering; microbiology; epidemiology; horticulture; animal sciences, including poultry and seafood; biochemistry; molecular biology and production agriculture.

"Faculty work in their home departments with a common goal and shared expertise," said Huffman. "The FTI will provide financial support and focus for faculty working with food safety through production and processing to the consumer."

"Funding is required for support of existing, emerging and new technologies," said Huffman. "FTI is seeking matching funds from other organizations, industries and commodity groups."

The S&C agreement is a big step in moving the FTI forward. Through the agreement, S&C and the FTI will work on food safety issues and also work to develop new meat products from lean beef. The agreement allows S&C to suggest priority research areas for consideration by FTI faculty and will have access to FTI scientists and facilities. FTI will have first chance to patent any technology developed through S&C-funded research.

S&C opened in Montgomery in January and is expected to be a boon to Alabama's beef industry. "The opening of the S&C plant is the most significant event in Alabama's cattle industry in the past two decades," said Billy Powell, executive director of the Alabama Cattlemen's Association. "It will open a market in Alabama for one of our major products - cull cows and bulls."

Powell explained that cull cows and bulls can be used for lean beef products, which are in great demand among consumers.

"Opening a market for lean beef and working with Auburn to develop new products for the food service industry will provide an opportunity for Alabama's cattle industry to go beyond using the by-products of our cow-calf operations. It opens up the market for the production of lean beef from forage and other options," he said.

"A primary focus of the FTI is the safety of the food supply at all levels," said Dr. William Muse, president of Auburn University. "The FTI's work in these areas will undoubtedly enhance the value of Alabama beef. I am especially pleased that the FTC's first partnership agreement is with S&C Beef Processors. In the past, cattle were sent out of state for processing. Now, cattle can be processed in Alabama, and, in fact, they can now be brought into Alabama from other states for processing."

"We at S&C believe this agreement to be very important in the interests of our on-going efforts to supply the safest meat products possible and develop new, exciting concepts in product development and food handling," said ConAgra Fresh Meat Company President Alan Glueck. "Auburn and the FTI, along with S&C, will endeavor to lead the way in a partnership that benefits all."

"The agreement represents an initial step for Auburn University and private industry to cooperatively address the research needs of the entire food chain," said Lowell T. Frobish, director of the Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station (AAES) at Auburn. The AAES is one of several FTI supporters, providing research backing for the Institute.

Frobish's remarks were echoed by AU's vice president for research, Michael Moriarty. "The agreement between S&C Beef Producers LLC and the FTI enhances Auburn University's commitment of partnership between industry and academia," Moriarty said. "Both parties to the agreement share the common goal of safe and quality products."

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News from:

Office of Ag Communications & Marketing

Auburn University College of Agriculture
Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station
3 Comer Hall, Auburn University
Auburn, AL 36849
334-844-4877 (PHONE) 334-844-5892 (FAX)

Contact Jamie Creamer, 334-844-2783 or jcreamer@auburn.edu
Contact Katie Jackson, 334-844-5886 or smithcl@auburn.edu

March 29, 1995