July 2, 2008

Corn prices spark layoffs and shutdown at Utah feed plant

High corn prices have forced Utah-based Moroni Feed Co to lay off workers and shut production temporarily.

A three-month shutdown will begin with layoffs at its Sanpete County hatchery in August and at its main processing plant in late November.

Norbest, a turkey cooperative, consists of Moroni Feed Co and the Nebraska Turkey Growers Cooperative.

Up to 500 workers in the 675-employee work force are expected to be laid off for up to three months, said company spokesman Kent Barton.

The shutdown is expected to result in a 20 percent reduction in turkey production at the Moroni processing plant, about 120 miles south of Salt Lake City. The facility processes 5 million turkeys each year.