When Pure Prairie Poultry closed its doors, it caught producers and ag leaders off guard.
The Wisconsin Farmers Union says it should have never happened, and is calling for safeguards to be put in place.
“It’s very unfortunate that it happened, but it shouldn’t happen. There should be some more guidance, or at least a process that would allow the processors or the farmers to make sure that animals are taken care of for the purpose that they’re being raised for. How does that work going forward? Certainly, the discussions between the Department of Agriculture in the three states are ongoing. There’s always that worry by the next chicken farm or the next turkey farmer that what happens if it’s my processor next?” said Darrin Von Ruden.
After being unable to find a market, Iowa’s Department of Ag was forced to cull 1.3 million birds they could not place elsewhere. Officials say there were no available buyers and the area lacked processing capacity.
