Citing dwindling cattle supplies, National Beef Packing Co. plans to close its beef processing plant in Brawley, Calif., on April 4. The U.S. slaughter capacity has seen a 6 percent reduction in the last 12 months, with the closure of Cargill’s Texas plant and the planned closure of the California plant.
Drought and the declining U.S. cattle herd led to the decision by National Beef.
According to Reuters, some California ranchers are exploring options of sending cattle to the Texas Panhandle for processing.