Smithfield subsidiary to close pork plant early

John Morrell & Co., a subsidiary of Smithfield, Virginia-based Smithfield Foods, will close its pork processing plant in Sioux City two weeks early, according to reports.

In January, the company announced the plant would close on April 20, citing the age of the 52-year-old plant and the economy as the deciding factors behind the decision. This week, however, workers were reportedly told April 8 would be the last day for slaughter operations.

A Smithfield representative said on April 7 that April 20 remains the date for "permanently" closing the plant.