This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2008, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Posted: 12:43 PM- SALT LAKE CITY - The nation's economic hard times are coming home to roost for a major Utah turkey grower.
Operators of Moroni Feed Co., an owner of the Norbest turkey brand, plan to temporarily suspend operations and lay off workers in December. About 675 workers in Sanpete, Sevier and Juab counties. As many as 675 workers may be let go.
Utah's Commissioner of Agriculture and Food Leonard Blackham says production costs have skyrocketed because of the high cost of corn, the main ingredient in turkey feed. He says in increased use of corn for ethanol, a weaker U.S. dollar and the recent flooding across midwestern corn producing states have driven up prices.
Blackham says Moroni Feed's owners hope to resume full operations by March 2009.
