Cattlemen’s Heritage Beef Company announced plans to construct a federally inspected $325-million, 1,500-head-per-day beef-processing facility in Mills County, IA. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2022 and be completed in late 2023.
“Cattlemen’s Heritage will fill a critical gap between the conglomerates and the outdated, under-sized lockers and plants that aren’t equipped to meet the needs of consumers, producers, or retailers,” said project developer Chad Tentinger, founder and owner of TenCorp. Inc., a cattle industry construction firm in Des Moines.
Tentinger noted recent market conditions, lessons learned from COVID-19 affecting meat processing, along with the recognition “more cattle production has moved north to the Upper Midwest” as reasons for the plant’s construction.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, who participated in the announcement, said the facility would be a welcome addition to the state’s agribusiness infrastructure.
“Creating more economic value to Iowa agriculture and the state’s livestock industry will help bring the next generation back to the farm,” Naig said. “This is important for the success and sustainability of the ag community and our state’s economy.”
In a statement, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) said the plant would benefit Iowa livestock producers and add “greater stability, processing capacity, and value to our state’s agriculture industry.”
Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO Matt Depee said in a statement he looks forward to having conversations with the Cattlemen’s Heritage group and how they can help Iowa’s producers.
“This facility will provide another market access for Iowa’s cattle producers with hopes of boosting cattle prices through competition and giving the state a needed economic boost for agriculture and the local area,” Depee said.
The plant will be situated on the Mills-Pottawattamie County line in western Iowa, fronted by interstate 29, and expects to employ up to 750 workers and have an estimated economic impact of $1.1 billion. — Charles Wallace, WLJ editor
