990574 IBP Says Madison, NE Pork Plant Shut

Chicago - The Madison, Neb., pork plant of IBP Inc., the second-largest U.S. pork processor, was closed for one day this week for several reasons, including reduced retail pork demand and recent heavy rain, IBP spokesman Gary Mickelson said.

“The Madison pork plant will not operate today for two reasons. One is because of a slowdown in retail demand and, two, is (that) recent rains have limited our ability to irrigate treated wastewater, which has maximized treatment plant storage capacity,” Mickelson said.

Operations resumed the next day.

“This temporary break in production, combined with a dry weather forecast and the upcoming holiday, we believe should allow us to resume normal operations,” Mickelson said.

Mickelson would not give the Madison, Neb., pork plant's slaughter capacity. But industry sources estimated daily capacity at about 7,500 head.

IBP also is the world's largest processor of fresh beef, according to Hoover's Company Profiles.

On Wednesday, IBP stock fell 1/2 to 21-5/8 near midday on Wednesday in composite New York Stock Exchange trading.

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