Cargill is shutting down its ground beef processing facility in Milwaukee’s Menomonee Valley, a move that will eliminate 221 jobs and bring an end to the city’s last major meatpacking operation. The move comes as other major beef processing companies downsize operations amid cattle shortages and other factors that have driven up beef prices.
What’s closing and when
According to notices filed with state officials, Cargill plans to halt production in mid-April 2026, with the facility fully closed by the end of May. The plant primarily produces ground beef and value-added beef products for grocery and foodservice customers. Once operations wind down, production will be shifted to other Cargill facilities across its North American network.
Why Cargill is shutting the plant
Cargill said the closure is part of a broader effort to “…better align our portfolio with current customer demand and prioritize investments where they are needed most for the future.”
The company pointed to the need to prioritize investments in facilities that can operate more efficiently amid changing market conditions. Like much of the beef industry, Cargill has been navigating tight cattle supplies and rising operating costs, which have put pressure on older or smaller plants.
Impact on workers and the city
The shutdown will directly affect 221 employees, many of whom have worked at the Milwaukee site for years. Cargill said it plans to provide transition assistance and support for affected workers, and some employees may have opportunities to apply for positions at other company locations in Wisconsin or nearby states…