Livestock supply on one side, inspected throughput in the middle, and channel demand on the other — protein plants are three-sided credits.
Protein processing underwrites in three directions at once. Upstream: livestock supply within economic haul distance, evidenced from regional inventory data and producer commitments — a plant without committed animals is a building with stainless steel. Midstream: inspected capacity, with the inspection regime itself (federal grant of inspection, staffing, the line-speed it permits) treated as the gating technical item it is. Downstream: channel demand — retail, food service, direct — with the carcass-utilization math done honestly, because the whole animal must sell, not just the middle meats.
Regional processing capacity has been a recognized bottleneck, and USDA programs have repeatedly targeted it — which makes the program-compliance layer (Reg 5001’s factor structure for guaranteed credits) standard equipment in the category. Labor is the operating constraint everywhere: processing wages against the local market, turnover’s training cost, and housing where rural plants outgrow their towns.
Wert-Berater’s protein work applies the firm’s heavy-processing diligence — commissioning schedules, equipment condition, contractor capability — with the supply-shed analysis quantified at the county level and the determination conditioned on the items that actually gate these projects: inspection status, supply commitments, and anchor-channel contracts.
Engagements are typically initiated by the borrower, with lender or CDC confirmation obtained before work begins — institutions apply differing rules, so sponsors should confirm the required path with their lending contact — and are delivered in 10 to 15 business days from complete project data, and built to the program framework that governs the credit — SBA SOP 50 10 8 coverage minimums of 1.15x operating and 1.00x global, the 37-factor structure of USDA 7 CFR Part 5001, or the 1.20x convention of conventional credit policy — with a ten-year pro forma, sensitivity at ±5/10/15 percent, rate stress to +3.0 percent, and Monte Carlo analysis as standard equipment.
President, Wert-Berater, Inc. — independent feasibility study consultants since 1998. 4,000+ engagements completed across all 50 states and internationally, evaluating $41.2 billion in project value for SBA, USDA, EB-5, conventional, and institutional financing decisions. Fiduciary duty runs to the lender and agency in every engagement.
+1 310-857-2443 ext. 800 · email · 1968 South Coast Hwy, Ste 2382, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 · 111 Town Square Pl Ste 1238 PMB 657834, Jersey City, NJ 07310 · 539 W. Commerce St #8486, Dallas, TX 75208 · 66 W Flagler Street, Suite 900, PMB 12704, Miami, FL 33130
Schedule a ConversationIndependent feasibility studies since 1998 — 4,000+ engagements, $41.2 billion in evaluated project value. Standard delivery in 10 to 15 business days. Fiduciary duty to the lender and agency.
Legal disclosure. Wert-Berater, Inc. offices are mailing addresses only. Following the COVID-19 pandemic the firm has elected to work remotely; its office locations receive mail and are not staffed for visitors or in-person meetings. Headquarters mailing address: 1968 South Coast Hwy, Ste 2382, Laguna Beach, CA 92651.
Wert-Berater, Inc. is an independent provider of feasibility studies and other related services. The firm does not provide financing or equity investment advice, and does not arrange, broker, or place debt or equity capital of any kind.
All appraisal assignments are performed by Bruce E. Jones, MAI, ASA-GC, BCA, CMEA, a member of the Appraisal Institute since 2006, a staff member of Wert-Berater, Inc. and owner of Special Purpose Realty Valuation.