Consumers: "Where's the beef?"

OKANOGAN – President Donald Trump signed an executive order to keep red meat and poultry processing facilities open during the coronavirus pandemic.

But for some ranchers, the shortage of meat on store shelves is an indication that meat processing procedures need reform.

Steve McLaughlin, a retired U.S. Navy commander and former state commissioner of public lands candidate, said Washington state beef producers need priority.

“The first solution is Washington cattle producers should be at the head of the line to sell beef in Washington state,” he said. “In order to provide relief to cattle prod...