Cargill confirms local workforce reductions, closure of hydro plant at Owensboro facility

Cargill has confirmed workforce reductions at its Owensboro facility and announced the closure of its hydro plant, though the company declined to disclose how many employees have been affected.

Owensboro Times emailed a list of questions to Cargill, including asking how many jobs were impacted and if severance or transition packages were offered. Cargill did not address either of those questions, but said the changes are part of a broader realignment to match “long-term strategy and evolving business needs.”

A statement from Sara Ragaller, Director of Reputation Management, Ag & Trading, reads:

“As part of this effort, we have made the decision to close the hydro plant at our Owensboro, Ky., facility and are also making select workforce reductions across the site. These changes reflect both restructuring and a shift in production strategy to better serve our customers. We are deeply grateful to our affected colleagues and are committed to treating them with care and respect. Owensboro remains a valued part of our operations, and we are committed to the community.”

Multiple confidential sources told Owensboro Times that approximately 18 jobs were affected, so OT again asked Cargill to specify how many employees were affected and if there were severance packages, as well as if any terminations were immediate. Ragaller responded by saying Cargill had nothing further to add beyond the original statement.

This latest move follows Cargill’s December 2024 announcement that it would eliminate approximately 5% of its global workforce — an estimated 8,000 positions — as part of a strategic realignment across the multinational food production company. While the company previously confirmed Owensboro would be impacted, the extent of those local effects has remained unclear.

Cargill acquired Owensboro Grain in early 2023. At the time, integration leader Don Camden assured local stakeholders that the company would protect the legacy and operations of Owensboro Grain while introducing new resources to expand its global reach.