Cargill to shut down Milwaukee beef harvest facility

American agribusiness firm Cargill has announced the closure of its beef harvest facility in Milwaukee, which employs around 600 people.

The decision comes in the wake of diminished cattle supply due to producers retaining cattle for herd expansion.

The ground beef plant at the site, which employs approximately 200 people, will continue operations to meet customer needs.

The closure will take effect from 1 August 2014 and will not impact Cargill’s six other US beef harvest facilities.

Cargill said that employees affected by the closure will be offered opportunities to fill positions at other company locations in the region.

The firm will provide assistance to relocating employees, and will hold a job fair in Milwaukee in the week of 4 August to help displaced employees.

Cargill Beef president John Keating said: "Closing our Milwaukee beef plant is taking place only after we conducted an 18-month-long analysis of the region’s cattle supply and examined all other possible options.

"It is unfortunate that we must close any beef plant because of the impact to good people, their families and the community.

"The harsh reality is that the US beef cattle herd is at its lowest level since 1951, with any significant herd expansion being years away."

The company’s other beef processing units are located in California, Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska and Pennsylvania.