Cargill to cease operations at Springdale feed plant

23 October 2008

Contact: David Feider, 952-742-6910, david_feider@cargill.com

SPRINGDALE, Ark. – Cargill announced it will cease operations at its Springdale, Ark. animal feed manufacturing facility on Friday, Nov. 14, 2008. Production, sales and customer service support will be transitioned to Cargill animal feed facilities in Oklahoma City and Kansas City.

Operated by Cargill since 1978, the feed mill was originally built to meet the dairy feed needs for area dairy producers. According to Cargill officials, the continuing reduction in dairy herd numbers in recent years has lessened demand to the point where maintaining the operation no longer makes business sense.

“This was a very difficult decision for us,” said Tom Taylor, general manager for Cargill Animal Nutrition’s southeast regional office in Kansas City. “Our Springdale employees have worked hard to make the plant viable and keep it in the community. We recognize and appreciate their commitment and years of service. Unfortunately, given the fall-off in demand for dairy feed in this region, we have no choice but to discontinue operations at our Springdale mill.”

Company officials met with Springdale employees today. The workforce of seven employees will be released when plant operations cease in November. To the extent possible, Cargill will seek to place interested, qualified employees in other positions within the company, including Cargill’s Springdale poultry operations.

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Cargill is an international provider of food, agricultural and risk management products and services. With 160,000 employees in 67 countries, the company is committed to using its knowledge and experience to collaborate with customers to help them succeed. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com.

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