Milwaukee slaughterhouse closes

Cargill announced the closing of its Milwaukee beef-processing plant on Aug. 1 due to low numbers of cattle resulting from the 2011 and 2012 droughts, which reduced herd sizes. About 600 workers were affected.

According to reports, many herders are now breeding their livestock rather than selling them. The U.S. beef cattle herd is smaller now than at any time since 1951, according to a release.