Source: KTVO News
KTVO News has been receiving viewer messages regarding the possible closings of some northern Missouri facilities owned by Smithfield Foods.
An employee who spoke on condition of anonymity told KTVO the company president announced this week that Smithfield is closing its sow farms in Putnam and Mercer counties starting May 1, 2023.
The sow farms are where the baby pigs are born and raised until they are old enough to be weaned.
The employee said reportedly 37 sow farms in northern Missouri are set to be closed.
We reached out to Smithfield for a statement, and this is the response from Jim Monroe, vice president for corporate affairs:
We are always taking steps to enhance our business for consistently strong performance through favorable and unfavorable market conditions.”
The unnamed Smithfield employee told KTVO the company president blamed the move on “challenging hog market conditions.”
Smithfield also owns the hog processing plant in Milan, Mo.
