BOWMAN – Spruce Hill Meats in Bowman is the newest North Dakota company operating under the State Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, according to North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring.

Retired veterinarian Dr. Bill Rotenberger started the business as a custom-exempt meat processing facility in September 2020 and his first official day under state inspection was this past Jan. 17.

Meat processing plants, accredited by the state inspection program, can sell their products wholesale to other retail establishments. Meat and poultry products that have been processed under state inspection can be sold on a wholesale or retail basis anywhere in North Dakota. After operating as an official state establishment for at least three months, plants are eligible to apply for the Cooperative Interstate Shipment Program, which allows them to ship anywhere in the United States.

Goehring said 17 North Dakota companies now operate under the State Meat & Poultry Inspection Program. NDDA also inspects 75 custom-exempt facilities in the state, which process private game and livestock.