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What does the supply chain look like between a cow being born and the meat ending up in the supermarket? What kinds of inspections happen at each step in that chain (farm -> slaughterhouse -> warehouse -> shelf - this is what I imagine is the chain, but who knows).
The beef supply chain involves cow/calf operations, feedlot/backgrounding operations, packing operations, and further processing/distribution operations. The links to top five operators (middlemen) in different segments of the beef supply chain is in a separate spreadsheet. Below is a deep dive of my research and findings.
Methodology
I have compiled a list of operations involved in the beef supply chain starting from the birth of a calf to the delivery of meat to the retail stores and foodservice operators. I have also incorporated the inspection points associated with each step into their relative sections below.
I have included links to top five operators (middlemen) in different segments of the beef supply chain in a separate spreadsheet, as listed here.
To answer the question completely and comprehensively, I have used sources that may be older than two years, however, the sources are still relevant to the question you asked.
The Beef Supply Chain
The beef supply chain involves cow/calf operations, feedlot/backgrounding operations, packing operations, and further processing/distribution operations. The different segments of the beef supply chain are described in detail below.
Cow/Calf Operations
Cow/calf operators maintain livestock herds to sell calves. Cow/calf operations may also include seed stock operations, i.e. operations that supply "cattle typically registered with a breed association. They have documented pedigrees and estimates of genetic merits, such as expected progeny differences". The calves are maintained by cow/calf operators by feeding them on mother's milk or grass for about 12 months until they reach about 400-700 lbs and then they sell them to feedlot operators or backgrounders.
Inspections associated with this stage of the beef supply chain include the testing of new cattle before it is added to the existing cattle for diseases such as "Bovine Viral Diarrhea (BVD) virus and the bacterium that causes Johne's disease" and the testing of bulls.
The bulls used for breeding are tested for Tritrichomonas fetus disease to prevent losses due to "infertility and abortions". Bulls may also be tested annually to check if they are "healthy and fertile".
FeedLot/Backgrounding Operations
Feedlot/backgrounding operations involve the feeding of calves until they reach the desired harvest weight, i.e. 1,200-1,400 lbs. Feedlot operations feed calves on grain while backgrounding operations feed them on grass. Once the cattle reach the desired weight, it is sold to packing plants.
Inspections associated with this stage of the beef supply chain include the testing of feed that is fed to the cattle and the conditions in which the cattle are maintained.
"Feed and ingredients testing" allows testing of feed to check if it is appropriate for fulfilling the nutritional requirements of the cattle. It also ensures that the feed "is not contaminated by disease, chemicals, or other foreign bodies".
The conditions in which cattle are "reared and fattened" are also tested to ensure "animal welfare and animal health".
Packing operations
Packing plants acquire cattle that has already reached the desired harvest weight and harvest them for the production of beef. The packers then sell beef to further processors and/or distributors.
Inspections associated with this stage of the beef supply chain include Antemortem inspection, Postmortem inspection, inspection of imported meat products, supervision of manufacturing processes, a sampling of beef boxes, and laboratory testing.
"Antemortem inspection" is carried out on animals "before slaughter, in pens on the premises, on the day of slaughter, in motion and at rest".
Imported meat products are tested in the "country of origin" and at "the port of entry" for "cleanliness, labeling, water content, wholesomeness, net weight, and fat percentage".
Manufacturing processes are supervised and "boneless manufacturing beef boxes" are statistically sampled.
Laboratories test meat samples for fat, water, curing agents, phosphates, "vegetable protein extenders", "meat from other species", and chemical residues.
Processing and Distribution Operations
Meat processors further process the meat that they acquire from packing plants in order to "either extend its shelf life or change the taste" while distributors directly supply the meat to "the end users — retail stores and foodservice operators".
Inspections associated with this stage of the beef supply chain include the supervision of manufacturing processes, a sampling of beef boxes, and inspection transportation.
Manufacturing processes are supervised and "boneless manufacturing beef boxes" are statistically sampled.
Transportation of cattle may also be inspected in order to "verify the qualifications of handlers and check that there are sufficient floor space and height for the cargo".
Summary
In conclusion, the beef supply chain involves cow/calf operations, feedlot/backgrounding operations, packing operations, and further processing/distribution operations. There are different inspection requirements at each segment of this supply chain The links to top five operators (middlemen) in different segments of the beef supply chain in a separate spreadsheet.