Cargill to Shutter Milwaukee Protein Plant, Leaving One Wisconsin Site

Over 200 jobs will be lost as the company consolidates operations in the state.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Cargill announced it will be closing its protein processing plant in Milwaukee's Menomonee Valley by the end of May, resulting in more than 200 job losses. This will leave the company with just one operating facility in Wisconsin, a grain elevator in La Crosse.

Why it matters

The closure is the latest in a series of Cargill plant shutdowns in Wisconsin over the past 12 years, reflecting broader industry consolidation and the challenges facing the meatpacking sector. The loss of these jobs will have a significant economic impact on the Milwaukee community.

The details

Cargill's Menomonee Valley plant produces fresh, ground beef and value-added meat products for major grocery retailers. Production at the facility is expected to wind down in mid-April before the plant fully closes on May 31. Affected employees will have the opportunity to apply for positions at other Cargill locations or receive a severance package.

  • Cargill announced the plant closure on February 13, 2026.
  • The Menomonee Valley plant is expected to cease production around mid-April 2026.
  • The plant will fully close by May 31, 2026.

The players

Cargill

A multinational agricultural and food processing corporation that is one of the largest privately held companies in the world.

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The takeaway

The closure of Cargill's Milwaukee plant reflects the ongoing consolidation and challenges facing the meatpacking industry in the Midwest, with major economic impacts on local communities that rely on these facilities for employment.