Nebraska Cargill beef plant temporarily closed after fire (2014)

Cargill’s beef processing plant in Schuyler, Nebraska, closed early Thursday due to a fire and ammonia leak.

cargill logo 24663069-bg1.jpg

February 7, 2014

Cargill’s beef processing plant in Schuyler, Nebraska, closed early Thursday due to a fire and ammonia leak.

According to reports, the cause of the fire and leak is unknown, and damage to the facility is still being assessed.

The plant processes roughly 5,000 head of cattle a day.

A Cargill spokesman said the company was working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to determine when the plant can reopen, which could be as early as Friday.

Related Stories
The Surface Transportation Board rejects the proposed Norfolk Southern–Union Pacific merger, prompting concerns from agricultural shippers about rail consolidation, service reliability, and higher transportation costs.
Congressional leaders signal momentum toward expanded, targeted farm aid to help producers manage losses and cash-flow stress in 2026.
Livestock strength is carrying the farm economy, while crop margins remain tight and increasingly dependent on risk management and financial discipline.
Strong balance sheets still matter, but liquidity, planning, and lender relationships are critical as ag credit tightens, according to analysis from AgAmerica Lending.
Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.
In a landmark ruling delivered in late 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court significantly narrowed the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

The U.S. Meat Export Federation plans to expand its global market presence in the New Year and says it is focusing its appeal on the growing middle class worldwide.
New World Screwworm cases in Mexico, including one within 200 miles of the U.S. border, are adding pressure to livestock markets and trade decisions.
Dr. Seth Meyer Concludes Service; Dr. Justin Benavidez Appointed USDA Chief Economist
USDA data indicates that 13.7 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest rate since 2014, even as most households remained food secure.
Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Cotton demand depends on demonstrating performance and reliability buyers can rely on, not messaging alone.