Milwaukee – Cargill Corp. is closing its beef slaughterhouse in Milwaukee, resulting in the loss of about 600 jobs effective this week.
With approximately 900 employees, Milwaukee has been home to Cargill Beef since 2001. Located in the Menomonee Valley, the plant is one of ten U.S. Cargill Beef plants and processes about 1,300 head of cattle per day.
“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,” John Keating, president of Cargill Beef, based in Wichita, Kan., said in a statement.
“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 U.S. beef cattle herd is at its lowest level since 1951, with any significant herd expansion being years away.”
A ground beef plant at the site will remain open, employing about 200 people, the company said.
