Kiolbassa Smoked Meats, San Antonio, Texas, is celebrating its 70th anniversary with the opening of a new production line.

Central Valley Meat Co., Inc., Hanford, Calif., announced plans to acquire Harris Farms, Inc., Coalinga, Calif., including its wholly owned subsidiaries, Harris Feeding Co. and Harris Ranch Beef Co.

BPI (Beef Products, Inc.), Dakota Dunes, S.D., announced a corporate name change to empirical foods, and re-named its additional companies to empirical technology and empirical innovations.

The majority of beef producers are in favor of the Beef Checkoff Program, and in fact, 80% says the checkoff drives demand for beef, according to an independent study conducted by Luce Research, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Blue Ridge Foods, Belton, S.C., announced plans to invest $2 million to locate a beef warehouse and distribution facility in Greenwood, Miss.

Tyson Fresh Meats, the Dakota Dunes, S.D.-based beef and pork subsidiary of Tyson Foods, Inc., collaborated with IdentiGEN, Lawrence, Kan., to use DNA technology to trace beef back to the individual animal of origin.

National Beef Packing Co., LLC, Kansas City, Mo., announced plans to acquire Iowa Premium, LLC (IP), Tama, Iowa.

An Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-led team completed a comprehensive life-cycle analysis quantifying the resource use and various environmental emissions of beef cattle production in the United States.

The Chefs' Warehouse, Inc., Ridgefield, Conn., acquired Bassian Farms, Inc., a San Jose, Calif.-based specialty protein manufacturer and distributor.

Private equity firm Mason Wells, Milwaukee, Wis., sold Eddy Foods, Inc. (also known as Eddy Packing), Yoakum, Texas, to Insight Equity III LP, Southlake, Texas.