Willmar Poultry Company, doing business as Ag Forte, plans close its Marshall, Minn., turkey hatchery in March.
The company stated high feed prices and turkey cooler inventories are causing financial challenges, and closing the hatchery is part of a plan to maintain operational efficiency.
The hatchery was originally built by the Swift company, which owned the Butterball Turkey label at the time. It was built sometime in the late 1950s or early 1960s, the Marshall Independent reported. Willmar acquired the company in 1989.
According to a company press release, company representatives will meet with employees in the coming weeks to discuss placement and severance options. Willmar Poultry Company is an affiliate of Life Science Innovations.
