Midwest Chicken Farmers Struggle To Feed Flocks After Sudden Closure Of Processor

CBS Minnesota

October 18, 2024 / 7:39 AM CDT

Dozens of farmers in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin are scrambling to feed their flocks after a struggling organic broiler chicken producer abruptly closed a year after getting a $39 million federal loan.

Pure Prairie Poultry shuttered its Charles City, Iowa, plant after filing for bankruptcy last month. The Minnesota company provided farmers with chicks and feed to raise until the birds were ready to be slaughtered and prepared for sale at the northeastern Iowa processing center.

"We know that our difficulties are causing real hardship for our growers and for others," Pure Prairie spokesperson Jon Austin said in an email. "And for that we apologize without reservation."

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