The Minnesota-based agri-giant announced earlier this month that it would be closing two animal feed mills and potentially trimming or moving about 30 employees. The two facilities support producers on the East Coast, a company spokesperson confirmed for us.
“In an effort to serve customers more efficiently and effectively and streamline operations, Cargill has made the decision to close its Jamestown, NY, and Wilson, NC, animal feed manufacturing facilities effective November 29,” the spokesperson said.
However, the company is not planning to stop providing feed to customers in those regions, she said. “Cargill remains committed to New York and North Carolina.”
Instead, in the future, customers will be served by other Cargill feed mills, she said. The site closing in New York generated dairy feed, while the North Carolina facility made bag and bulk livestock feed.
“Cargill will work with existing customers throughout this transition to ensure they receive products and services without disruptions,” the spokesperson said.
Facility, employee details
Cargill acquired its North Carolina facility in 1989 and purchased it from Central Soya, according to information reported by Wake Weekly. The site has about 26 employees.
Both closings are expected to affect about 30 positions, the spokesperson said. “Where possible and appropriate, Cargill is working with employees to identify potential employment opportunities at other operational sites,” she added.
However, Cargill continues to employ about 250 people in North Carolina and has four other facilities in the state, the spokesperson said. The company is set to continue operating eight locations in New York, where it has approximately 500 employees.
“Cargill will continue to remain invested in those communities,” she added.
Other Cargill news
In addition to closing two company facilities, Cargill is in the process of expanding a feed ingredient production site with a $225m investment in an Ohio-based soy crush operation.
The investment focuses on increasing the facility’s soybean crush capacity and on modernizing operations at the site, according to company information. It is set to provide greater market access for farmer’s crops grown in the area and improve the pace of soybean delivery.
The location generates soybean oil and soybean meal for use in animal feed – especially by regional hog producers, according to company information. The site sources its soybean from the surrounding region.
“We want to provide the best experience possible to local farmers when they choose to sell their crops to us,” said Don Camden, commercial leader for the eastern region of Cargill’s agricultural supply chain business in North America, at the time. “We also are seeing increased demand for soybean meal in the surrounding region, as pork producers and others raise production to meet growing consumer demand for protein.”
The expansion is expected to be completed in 2022, according to company information.
Meanwhile, Cargill has again started receiving cattle at its Dodge City, Kansas beef packing facility following an explosion, according to company reports. The explosion occurred on October 17 in a side building on the site and injured two employees.
