Global IT Outage Reaches U.S. Meat Processing Sector

Early Friday, a significant IT outage caused global disruptions across sectors including airlines, banks, and healthcare services. 

Cybersecurity company CrowdStrike identified the issue as a "defect found in a single content update for Windows" and confirmed that it wasn't a security incident or cyberattack. A fix has been deployed, said CrowdStrike. 

The U.S. meat processing sector may also be affected, with one pork plant reportedly experiencing computer issues that could halt operations. Processing plants use computers for critical tasks including inventory management and equipment operations...

Jarrett Foods Custom Poultry Processing Facility Opens

Jarrett Foods, a provider of custom poultry processing solutions, has begun operations at its newly renovated and expanded headquarters in Canon, Georgia.

"We are excited that our new poultry processing facility is operational," Jarrett Foods CEO Heath Jarrett said. "We look forward to producing high-quality poultry products that are tailored specifically to each client needs."

The company has transformed an existing 44,853-square-foot building on Grady School Road into a state-of-the-art poultry processing complex, now spanning a total of 53,972 square feet...

Dakota City Tyson Currently Closed Due to Gas Leak

Late into the Sunday evening hours, a car struck the walls of a Gas-Insulated Substation just behind the Tyson Foods processing plant in Dakota City, Nebraska causing a major gas leak at 164th Street and North 20th Street. 

At approximately 8:30am Monday, Dakota City Fire lowered gas levels, and the vehicle was removed from the building. 

According to a source, the leak has led to halt in operations at Tyson and other neighboring businesses.

Expana will continue to provide updates on this developing story as details become available...

Green Plains Demo Plant Opens, Bringing Online Additional Protein Ingredients Capacity

Commissioning has begun on Green Plains Inc’s new corn processing plant producing ‘‘ultra-high protein feed ingredients’’ (50% protein) as well as corn oil and biofuel inputs in York, Nebraska.

The plant in question is a demonstration facility combining Fluid Quip Technologies’ precision separation and processing technology (MSC™) with Shell Fiber Conversion Technology (SFCT), integrating fermentation, mechanical separation, and fibre conversation into one platform.

In 2021, Green Plains acquired a majority stake in Fluid Quip Technologies, whose technology allows corn processors to produce an alternative protein ingredient for...

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Assets from Tyson Foods, Inc

Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the largest producer and distributor of fresh shell eggs in the United States, today announced it has completed the previously announced acquisition of a broiler processing plant, hatchery and feed mill in Dexter, Missouri, that were closed by Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) (“Tyson”) in 2023. The Company plans to remodel and repurpose the assets for use in shell egg and egg products production.

Sherman Miller, president and chief executive officer of Cal-Maine Foods, Inc...

Triumph Foods to Create 88 Jobs During St. Joseph Expansion

Triumph Foods announced that it will expand operations at the company's 800,000-square-foot facility in St. Joseph, Missouri, creating 88 new jobs in the process.  

“Triumph Foods is a Missouri-made, leading pork processor that we’re excited to see continuing to grow,” said Governor Mike Parson on X, formerly known as Twitter. “This company’s expansion is an exciting development for the local community and regional economy and will further strengthen our state’s thriving agriculture industry. We look forward to Triumph Foods’ continued success as it invests and creates jobs...

North 49 Foods Opens New Sow Processing Plant in Moose Jaw

A new pork processing facility in Canada has come online, marking the first time for such an occasion in over a decade. 

North 49 Foods, a division of Thunder Creek Pork, officially opened its federally inspected sow slaughter and processing facility in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in late October. 

The 120,000-square-foot facility was retrofitted from the former JBS/XL Foods beef plant, which was acquired by Donald's Fine Foods in 2019.

Donald's Fine Foods already operates a hog slaughter plant in Moose Jaw that was opened in 2011...

Smithfield Foods to Close Charlotte Plant

Smithfield Foods will close its Charlotte, North Carolina, pork-processing plant and transfer production to its Tar Heel, North Carolina, facility to increase efficiency and better utilize existing capacity.

The company will provide financial and other transition assistance to the 107 employees who are affected by this closure and will meet with employees to discuss options including transfer to other Smithfield locations. Smithfield will also provide a financial incentive package for hourly employees to remain at Charlotte until the final day of production in December... 

Olymel Continues Consolidation Efforts, Announces Closure of Two Further Processing Plants

On Wednesday, Olymel announced the definitive closure of two of its further processing plants as part of the company's ongoing efforts to streamline its operations and ensure profitability across its facilities. 

Olymel is the leading producer, processor, and distributor of pork and poultry in Canada. It has production and processing facilities in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick. 

In its fresh pork sector, Olymel announced the closure of its boning and packaging plant in Princeville, Centre-du-Québec. The facility is slated to close on November...