Here we go again.............. What was your media source for that devastating news? We have a multitude of feed lots in our area, and absolutely nothing of the sort is taking place. Idiocy.
Yes it is. My company alone has culled 5,000,000 egg laying hens.
This is from an industry trade journal.
Beef Plant Closures:
JBS in Souderton, PA: On March 31st, the JBS Souderton, Pa. plant “temporarily reduced production because several senior management team members have displayed flu-like symptoms”. The plant reopened Monday, April 20th. The facility can process about 2,500 head of cattle per day.
National in Tama, IA: The company shuttered operations on April 11th after numerous employees tested positive for the coronavirus. The facility reopened Monday, April 20th. The plant can process about 1,100 head per day.
JBS in Greeley, CO: On April 12th, JBS announced it closed its Greeley facility for deep cleaning after dozens of employees tested positive for the coronavirus. The plant is slated to reopen Friday, April 24th. However, some industry sources say a Monday, April 27th opening is more likely. The facility can process about 5,400 head per day.
National in Dodge City, KS: On April 8, National Beef announced its first positive coronavirus case. The facility closed Thursday, April 16th through Tuesday, April 21st. The plant can process around 5,200 head per day.
Tyson in Wallula, WA (indefinitely closed): On April 23rd, Tyson announced it will temporarily stop production until further notice to test all employees. The plant employs around 1,400 people and can process about 2,300 head per day.
CTI Foods in King of Prussia, PA (processing plant): The hamburger grinding plant was closed due to coronavirus concerns. Wendell Young IV, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776, said the plant has since been reopened.
Cargill in Hazelton, PA (processing plant): On April 7th, Cargill announced that it is suspending operations at its Hazelton, Pa. facility to minimize the risk of spread between its employees. This location produces items such as ground beef and steaks and has since been reopened.
Beef Plants Under Watch:
JBS in Grand Island, NE: Roughly 237 cases of coronavirus were reported at the Grand Island plant Tuesday, April 21st. The plant employs around 3,600 people and can process about 5,200 head per day.
Cargill in Fort Morgan, CO: At least 15 workers at the Cargill facility tested positive for the coronavirus. The plant is reducing shifts in order to minimize the risk of spread. The location employs around 2,100 people and can process about 4,700 head per day.
Tyson in Dakota City, NE: On Tuesday, April 22nd, a labor union official said the plant had 23 workers who tested positive for the coronavirus, with more test results pending. Some industry sources have heard that the facility will be dark all next week, but details are elusive. The facility can process around 6,000 to 7,000 head per day.
Aurora Packing Company in Aurora, IL: The beef plant was temporarily closed due to coronavirus concerns and has since reopened. The facility can process around 600 head per day.
WR Reserve in Lincoln, NE (processing plant): At least ten workers have tested positive for the coronavirus at the Nebraska beef processing plant. The facility is located in Hastings, just south of Grand Island where several positive cases were reported at a JBS plant.
Pork Plant Closures:
Tyson in Columbus Junction, IA: On April 6th, Tyson announced it is suspending operations after more than two dozen employees tested positive for the coronavirus. The plant can process about 10,100 hogs per day. Tyson resumed limited operations on Monday, April 21st. Industry sources reported that the plant is currently operating at 50% capacity, roughly 5,050 head per day.
Smithfield in Sioux Falls, SD (indefinitely closed): On April 12th
, Smithfield closed its Sioux Falls plant indefinitely after hundreds of employees tested positive for the coronavirus. The plant can process about 19,500 hogs per day, which represents 4% to 5% of U.S. pork production.
JBS in Worthington, MN (indefinitely closed): On Monday, April 20th, JBS announced the indefinite closure of its Worthington plant following a coronavirus outbreak. The facility can process around 20,000 hogs per day.
Tyson in Waterloo, IA (indefinitely closed): On Thursday, April 16th, an outbreak was reported at the Tyson plant in Waterloo. On Tuesday, April 22nd, the company announced plans to indefinitely suspend operations. The facility employs around 2,700 people and can process about 19,000 hogs per day.
Smithfield in Monmouth, IL (indefinitely closed): On Friday, April 17th it was announced that the Warren Country Health Department was investigating three confirmed cases of the coronavirus. On Friday, April 24th, Smithfield announced that it will suspend operations beginning next week until further notice. The plant can process around 12,600 head per day.
Prime Pork in Windom, MN: On Tuesday, April 21st, Prime Pork announced that it would be closed until Friday, April 24th for deep cleaning. The facility can process around 5,200 hogs per day.
Tyson in Logansport, IN: On Wednesday, April 22nd, Tyson announced that it will temporarily close its Logansport location for at least two weeks after 146 employees tested positive for the coronavirus. The plant is expected to stop all production by Saturday, April 25th. The facility can process around 15,400 hogs per day.
Indiana Packing Corp. in Delphi, IN: On Friday, April 24th, Indiana Packing Corp. announced the temporary closure of their facility due to coronavirus concerns. Operations will be shuttered on Monday, April 27th. The plant is scheduled to reopen on May 8th and can process around 17,300 hogs per day.
Fresh Mark in Salem, OH (processing plant): On Saturday, April 11th, the processing plant temporarily closed for deep cleaning. The facility produces items such as bacon, ham, and deli meats. The processing plant reopened Monday, April 20th.
Smithfield in Martin City, MO (processing plant): The Missouri processing plant indefinitely closed on Wednesday, April 15th. The plant employs around 400 people and produces spiral and smoked hams. The facility receives supplies from the indefinitely closed Sioux Falls, Smithfield plant.
Smithfield in Cudahy, WIS (processing plant): The Wisconsin processing plant closed on Wednesday, April 15th due to coronavirus concerns. The facility produces bacon and sausage and plans to reopen on April 29th.
Burgers' Smokehouse in California, MO (processing plant): On April 16th, the company closed their facility after three employees tested positive for the coronavirus. The company is the largest producer of country ham in the United States. The facility plans to reopen on Thursday, April 30th.
Hormel Foods Corp. in Rochelle, IL, and Alma, KS (processing plants): On Monday, April 20th, two manufacturing plants under Hormell Foods Corp. closed due to a coronavirus outbreak. The Rochelle location produces items including bacon and lunch meat. The Alma location manufactures meals under the Saucy Blues foodservice brand. Both facilities plan to reopen on May 4th.
Pork Plants Under Watch:
Seaboard in Guymon, OK: Seaboard confirmed its first positive coronavirus case at its Guymon location on Monday, April 13th. The plant is still currently operating and can process about 19,600 hogs per day.
Smithfield in Tar Heel, NC: An employee at the Smithfield processing plant in Tar Heel, North Carolina, tested positive for the coronavirus on Saturday, Apri 18th. This is the largest facility in the United States with a capacity of around 33,500 hogs per day.
Tyson in Madison, NE: Health officials are investigating a possible coronavirus outbreak at the plant. The facility employs around 1,200 people and can process about 8,000 hogs per day.
Tyson in Perry, IA: Tyson halted operations at its Perry location on Monday, April 20th for deep cleaning. The facility has since reopened and can process around 7,600 hogs per day.
Prestage Foods in Eagle Grove, IA: On Saturday, April 18th and Sunday, April 19th, it was confirmed that sixteen employees tested positive for the coronavirus at the plant. The facility can process around 10,000 hogs per
Poultry Plant Closures:
West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, IA: On April 10th, the processing plant closed for three days after three employees tested positive for the coronavirus. The plant processes turkey, beef, pork, and chicken for foodservice and retail. The facility reopened on April 14th.
Empire Kosher Poultry in Mifflintown, PA: On April 3rd, the chicken processing plant closed for two weeks after two employees tested positive for the coronavirus. The facility reopened Monday, April 20th.