Cargill today announced that it will close its Milwaukee, Wis., beef harvest facility, which employs approximately 600 people, effective at the close of business, Friday, Aug. 1, 2014. The closure of the facility results primarily from the tight cattle supply brought about by producers retaining cattle for herd expansion. The ground beef plant at the site will remain open to meet customer needs, employing approximately 200 people. Cargill’s six other U.S. beef harvest plants are unaffected.
Cargill purchased the beef harvest plant in 2001 and it has a processing capacity of 1,300 to 1,400 animals daily. For the more than 600 people impacted at the plant, Cargill will be offering opportunities to fill positions at other company locations in the region. Those who relocate to positions at other Cargill facilities will receive assistance. For displaced employees, Cargill will provide support including a job fair in Milwaukee the week of August 4.