Source: Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE, 9/23/13

Officials at a privately held meat processing company are mulling the fate of a 58-year-old plant in Godwin, N.C., that was forced to close as the availability of affordable cattle declined over the last year.

Martin’s Abattoir and Wholesale Meats Inc. said last week’s closing of the Sampson County beef processing facility stemmed from the lack of reasonably priced cattle as cattle sales at market continued to decline. The closing affected 180 employees, who reportedly will be paid and receive continued health care coverage for the next 60 days.

Operations Director Jeffrey Martin told the Fayetteville Observer that the family’s pork processing plant will continue to run and no decisions have been made so far on the beef plant and its property.

The family owned company was founded in 1954 and at one point was one of the top 20 cattle processors in the country, providing boxed beef and sausages among other protein products.

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