The Associated Press' Summer Ballentine reported on how farmers across Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are facing a crisis as Pure Prairie Poultry, an organic broiler chicken producer, abruptly closed its doors. The shutdown of the company's Charles City, Iowa, plant, which occurred after Pure Prairie filed for bankruptcy last month, has left farmers without feed or support for their flocks.
Pure Prairie Poultry, based in Minnesota, had provided farmers with chicks and feed, raising them until they were ready for processing at the Iowa facility. Now, dozens of farmers are scrambling to find ways to feed their birds, which were part of the company's operations.
"We know that our difficulties are causing real hardship for our growers and for others," said company spokesperson Jon Austin in an email. "And for that, we apologize without reservation."
In court filings, Pure Prairie Poultry described its financial struggles, which have plagued the company since acquiring the Charles City plant in 2021. Supply chain disruptions linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and low chicken prices added to the company's woes.
