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Pork processing in Michigan brings growth

Construction of a new pork processing plant near Michigan’s Indiana/Ohio tristate border will likely lead to an expansion of hog production in the region. But, the Michigan Agribusiness Association says more than hog numbers are expected to grow.

President Jim Byrum says as the state welcome’s its first pork processor farmers are planning on adding finishing facilities, ag companies are planning for increased feed demand and ag construction is expected to boom with the need for more housing.

“We’re just going to see overall a much more robust feed and livestock sector in this state that’s is going to mean feed, animal health, all sorts of supply industries that are really going to be growing rapidly as we see these numbers increase in Michigan.”

Byrum tells Brownfield more farms are also expected to move to more northern areas of the Lower Peninsula as they look for less populated areas to build new finishing facilities.

The Clemens Food Group Coldwater processing plant is set to open in late 2017.

AUDIO: Interview with Jim Byrum (1:59 mp3):