The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship says efforts to save over 1-million broiler chickens located at 13 Iowa farms failed. On September 30th, Pure Prairie Poultry, Incorporated, based in Charles City, informed the state ag department that due to their financial position, they were unable to purchase feed for the chickens. The company had filed for bankruptcy, then on October 2nd, ceased operations in Charles City, and laid off its workers. The state ag department was granted an emergency petition, and began to feed and care for the birds, and had a tentative agreement in place for another business to purchase the 1-point-3-million birds, but that business backed out.
Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says his department tried numerous ways to find buyers and processors, but no credible offers or proposals materialized. So the state then began a depopulation effort with the backing of a court order on October 17th, and it concluded Friday. Each farm is now utilizing composting as the means to dispose of the birds.
Naig says his department will pursue all available avenues to recoup taxpayer costs from the responsible parties including through possible future legal remedies.
