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Nebraska ag director supports proposed chicken plant

Nebraska director of agriculture Greg Ibach supports Costco’s plan to build a chicken processing facility in eastern Nebraska.

Ibach says the plant will allow Nebraska to diversify its livestock industry.

“We’re used to being a national leader in beef and pork—and now we’re going to be able to grow in the poultry industry,” Ibach says. “There will be 75 to 100 farmers that will be part of the grower network to produce the broilers that will be harvested at the plant.”

The project also creates a new market for local corn and soybean farmers, Ibach says.

“We really think it will shift the demand curve for corn and soybeans in the eastern part of the state—maybe even beyond,” he says. “So we really think it will impact individual farmers by raising their net income through the value of the corn and soybeans they’re growing becoming more valuable.”

Ibach says Costco will be a “great corporate partner for Nebraska”.

“They have a great reputation for trying to do things right—and doing things above and beyond to be responsible corporate citizens.”

Plans for construction of the plant have been met with some local opposition in Dodge County.

AUDIO: Greg Ibach