A group of North Dakota cattle producers is expected to have what was once a dream of Manitoba cattle producers.
Central Dakota Beef of Maddock, N.D., is supporting a $3 million slaughter plant to produce halal meat for North America’s Muslim community.
Construction is to start this month, said Central Dakota Beef president Paul Kallenbach. Production is expected to begin in early December.
The plant in Harvey, N.D., will slaughter 5,000 head of cattle a year but is designed for easy expansion to 10,000 head.
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The venture will be called Dakota Halal. Partners include Central Dakota Beef, financial consultant Adnan Aldayel of New Rockford, N.D., and two undisclosed investors.
The City of Harvey will build the slaughter plant and then lease it to Dakota Halal.
Community association
Aldayel, a Muslim of Saudi Arabian descent, is president of Dakota Halal. He brings his business knowledge to the enterprise, as well as his ties with the Muslim community.
Ranchers selling cattle to the plant will provide “credibility of supply,” said Kallenbach.
Livestock will be drawn from within a 170-kilometre radius of Harvey and must not be fed animal byproducts.
Ranchers supporting the venture formed Central Dakota Beef as an offshoot of the Central Dakota Cattle Association.
A strict protocol is followed during the slaughter of livestock for halal meat. A Muslim butcher faces east toward Mecca, the Muslim holy city, and blesses each animal before it is slaughtered.
Animals are entirely drained of blood before processing.
The plant at Harvey will produce carcasses, boxed meat parts and processed items such as sausage, meatballs and smoked jerky.
The plant will be equipped to handle cattle, sheep, goats, bison, deer and elk.
Three years ago, a similar effort seemed likely for Manitoba when plans were announced for a plant that would produce kosher and halal meats for niche markets.
Working with an Israeli consortium, a group of Manitoba cattle producers hoped to see the plant located in Brandon.
The plan was to spend $20 million to retrofit a dormant meat packing plant, but the project never came to pass.
