September 5, 2007

Minnesota beef plant to reopen after 18-month shutdown

The former Minnesota Beef Industries plant in Buffalo Lake, Minnesota is scheduled to resume operations on September 10 after being closed for a year and a half, the West Central Tribune reported.

Now called North Star Beef, the company will hire 180 workers to hopefully bring production up to more than 500 heads daily. It used to process an average of 460 heads daily before it closed down in February 2006.

The shutdown was reportedly due to supply issues tied to the Canadian cattle import ban and Minnesota's shrinking dairy cattle industry. The previous owners were also burdened by US$4 million state loan in 2004 for upgrading and expanding its equipment.

Owner William Gilger said the company has already lined up supplies of different classes of cattle for the plant. He said the plant, which is authorized to process kosher and halal meats, has a variety of customers as well.