Utah turkey plant goes idle; nearly 400 laid off

Utah turkey plant goes idle; nearly 400 laid off


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SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- A Sanpete County turkey processing plant is shutting down and nearly 400 employees are being laid off.

Officials at the Moroni Feed Co. say the plant will go idle at the end of the day Thursday.

The 60-member turkey cooperative is hoping to reopen March 16.

Brandon Olson, the company's chief financial officer, says the rising cost of corn -- driven by government subsidies for ethanol -- has driven up feed prices for raising turkeys.

Commissioner of agriculture Leonard Blackham said, "Corn hit $8 a bushel, and generally it's down to about $2.25."

The company says fresh turkeys will still be available for Thanksgiving.

Moroni Feed Co. processes about 5 million turkeys a year. The turkeys are sold under the Norbest brand.

Information from: Deseret News

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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