USA – Cargill has opened a US$34M expansion of its Animal Nutrition & Health facility in Temple, Texas aimed at increasing its feed production capacity to meet the growing needs.

Construction of the 70,000 square foot addition for manufacturing, packaging, warehousing and shipping capabilities began in January 2018 and was completed in August 2019.

The company noted that the facility is strategically located to serve Cargill’s farm and ranch feed store owners and beef feed customers with reduced transportation costs for local customers and increased manufacturing capabilities.

“The investment in Temple is about serving our customers and supporting the growing Texas farm and ranch feed store and beef feed markets,” said Daryn Kracht, managing director Cargill Animal Nutrition North America.

“We are thrilled to be able to serve our customers better as we continue to invest in the Temple community.”

“The Texas feed market has always been central to our animal nutrition business,” said Joe Comte, sales manager.

“We are excited to offer improved access of our Nutrena, Record Rack and Cargill branded product lines to our farm and ranch feed store customers and the animal owners they serve.” 

The Temple facility currently employs 26 people and is capable of producing nearly 500, 000 tons of bag and bulk animal feed per year.

In addition to the Temple facility, Cargill operates in 13 locations across the state of Texas, employing 3,947 Texans through its Animal Nutrition & Health, Grain Processing and Distribution, Starches and Sweeteners, and Protein businesses.

To further increase its production capabilities, Cargill recently entered into an agreement with White Dog Labs to expand its offerings of sustainable alternatives to fishmeal in the aquafeed sector.

The deal secures access to ProTyton, White Dog Labs’ single-cell protein produced by fermentation with corn feedstock, a sustainable alternative to harvesting fishmeal, which like fishmeal, is high in protein and amino acids.

Cargill said that ProTyton will be ready to ship from White Dog Labs’ demo facility in Sutherland, Nebraska in 2020.

The company has however agreed  to sell its compound feed business in Portugal to Nutreco and will retain its premix and nutrition business in the country.