Cargill will be closing its huge malt plant near Jamestown -- one of three in North Dakota -- this fall according to a report at the Bismarck Tribune.
The plant closing will affect approximately 55 employees at Spiritwood, who may apply for other open positions within Cargill, either in North Dakota or elsewhere, said April Nelson, communications specialist with Cargill Corporate Affairs in Minneapolis.
The output at the Spiritwood plant has fallen based on a lack of demand for the locally produced malts, Nelson said. Area barley growers produce six-row crops that are now trailing in demand for two-row crops grown elsewhere, she said.
Two-row or six-row barley refers to the placement of kernels on the seed head. Two-row barley is currently more popular for malting for beer.
“The decision to close a plant is never easy, but reduced demand for six-row crops, a North Dakota climate not conducive to the more in-demand two-row crops and low utilization of the plant made the closure necessary,” Nelson said.
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