June 13, 2008

Tyson to suspend pork operations in flood areas

Tyson has decided to suspend slaughter this week at some Midwest pork plants due to rising floodwaters.

Hog slaughter will be suspended in southeast Iowa-based Columbus Junction plant from Thursday to Monday (June 12-16, 2008). Its daily capacity is 9,000 hogs.

Perry pork plant in south central Iowa will suspend slaughter on Friday (June 13, 2008) to limit product in inventory due to possible flooding, but will continue its pork processing operation. Its daily capacity is 7,000 hogs.

Tyson also temporarily suspended its prepared foods plant operations in Jefferson, Wisconsin on Wednesday (June 11, 2008) to reduce wastewater going through the wastewater treatment plant, which is near capacity limit due to the heavy rains.

In addition, Cargill has also suspended slaughter operations in its Ottumwa pork plant in southeast Iowa due to rising waters in nearby Des Moines River. The plant has a daily capacity of 16,000 hogs. To make up for the lost production, Cargill will operate its Beardstown, Illinois, plant on Saturday (June 14, 2008).