A report in the Pine Bluffs Post this week exposed a pending deal between The Maschhoffs of Carlyle, Illinois, to buy 13,500 sows owned by Smithfield Foods in Albin, Wyoming.
Josh Flint, associate director of communications for The Maschhoffs, tells Successful Farming that the deal, which was anticipated to close by October 1, should be done by the end of the month.
“We are working on purchasing a set of assets that Smithfield currently owns in Wyoming,” says Flint. “It includes sow farms, finishing and nursery space, a feed mill, an office, and more."
Representatives for Maschhoffs visited the small town of Albin earlier this week to talk to the community, anticipating the deal would be done. “At the last minute, the close was held up,” says Flint. “But everyone is still thumbs up around the table.”
If the deal closes, the Maschhoffs would own 195,000 sows, says Flint. Right now, the company owns 180,000 sows, making it the sixth largest pork producer in the U.S., according to the new 2019 Pork Powerhouses report published by Successful Farming.
Smithfield is the largest pork producer in the U.S., with 942,000 sows.
"Regarding the recent news report indicating The Maschhoffs are purchasing sow farms in Wyoming from Smithfield Foods, a sale is not yet final," says Lisa Martin, corporate communications for Smithfield Foods. "Smithfield’s Wyoming operations include roughly 13,500 sows."
