Dec. 19, 2007

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Cargill to close Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, grain elevator

CUT KNIFE, Saskatchewan –Cargill Limited has announced that it will discontinue operations at its Cut Knife, Saskatchewan, farm service centre, effective Dec. 31, 2007.

As part of a longstanding commitment to maintain a sustainable, efficient and cost-effective network of facilities providing farm products and services, Cargill will transition the services of the Cut Knife facility to three nearby, regional Cargill facilities: the newly expanded North Battleford facility, the recently acquired Vermilion facility (for crop inputs and grain handling) and its existing facility in Unity (for crop inputs only). Cargill officials note that the three alternate facilities are committed to ensuring a seamless transition in handling local farm customers’ needs.

“The decision on closing Cut Knife was not easy and is in no way a reflection of the great work provided by our professional staff over the years,” said Bert Benoit, farm service group manager of Cargill’s Twin Rivers Farm Service Group. “However, through our realigned network, Cargill will continue to provide distinctive solutions that farmers have grown to value and trust.”

Effective with these changes, Cargill Cut Knife farm marketing representatives Randy Brackenbury and Ames Leslie will continue to perform their duties in working with area farmers. Cut Knife Facility Manager Shane Sigstad will transfer to North Battleford as assistant facility manager, and Administrative Manager Lori Braun at Cut Knife will become administrative manager for the Twin Rivers Farm Service Group. Cargill plans to add a new customer service representative to serve the Cut Knife area. An announcement relating to a new Cargill office location in Cut Knife is expected at a later date.

Benoit indicated that he expects many of the remaining assets and materials from the local site to be utilized, with the land available for sale at a later date.