Fire at JBS Grand Island
Production Area Not Affected by Fire at JBS Beef Plant in Nebraska
OMAHA (DTN) -- After a fire shut down the JBS USA beef plant in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Monday, the company reported the fire did not impact the primary processing area and the plant could "expect to resume operations tomorrow, pending ongoing assessment of the situation."
There were no injuries reported in the fire, which broke out overnight at the 6,000-head capacity plant. Operations were shut down on Monday.
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Reports from the scene largely cited that JBS' rendering operation had suffered damage, but no official details were released.
A JBS spokesman on Monday informed DTN the fire did not impact the company's primary production areas. "Thankfully, there were no injuries and we appreciate the Grand Island fire department for their quick response and support," stated Nikki Richardson of corporate communications for JBS USA.
The plant can process 6,000 head a day and has roughly 3,000 employees. That puts capacity at the plant at roughly 5% of the average U.S. daily fed cattle slaughter.
The fire brought back memories of the Tyson fire at Holcomb, Kansas, just over two years ago. The damage at the Tyson plant led to a sharp market reaction, causing fed cattle futures to drop sharply while boxed beef prices soared.
The Grand Island plant also was among the JBS facilities that were idled in May for a short time when the company was hit by a cyberattack.
Cattle markets did drop Monday with October live down $1.15 to $1.2227 at midafternoon.
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