Local pork producers bracing for COVID-19 impact

JBS USA reported earlier this week that they are temporarily shutting down their large pork processing plant in Worthington because of an outbreak of COVID-19 among workers.

It’s the third plant the company has closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, and it joined the list of other pork processing plants to be shut down in Iowa and South Dakota.  KAUS News spoke with State District 27A Representative Peggy Bennett, a Republican from Albert Lea who stated that she’s been in contact with state and federal officials to address the situation..

Bennett went on to state that the legislature could use emergency relief funds to help alleviate the crisis….

State Agriculture Commissioner Thom Petersen stated that his office has been working with smaller plants in Minnesota to build capacity, and he added that 345 thousand dollars in grants were released last week.