Cargill announces it has reached an agreement to sell its beef cattle feed yards in Leoti, Kan., and Yuma, Colo

Cargill announced today it has reached an agreement to sell its beef cattle feed yards in Leoti, Kan., and Yuma, Colo., to Omaha-based Green Plains Inc., a vertically integrated ethanol producer with existing feed yards in Kismet, Kan., and Hereford, Texas. The transaction will be finalized upon completion of a definitive agreement and regulatory review, officials said in a news release.    Under a multiyear agreement, Green Plains will continue to supply cattle to Cargill. The Leoti and Yuma feed yards have a capacity of some 155,000 cattle. Meanwhile, the approximately 90 people currently employed at Cargill’s Colorado and Kansas feed yards will be offered positions with Green Plains.“Selling our two remaining feed yards aligns with our protein growth focus by allowing us to redeploy working capital away from cattle feeding operations to other investments,” said John Keating, president of Cargill’s Wichita-based protein business operations and supply chain. “By partnering with Green Plains in a multiyear supply agreement, the Yuma and Leoti yards will continue to supply cattle to our beef processing facilities at Fort Morgan, Colo., and Dodge City, Kan., ensuring consistent high-quality beef products for our customers.”Over the past two years, Cargill has announced nearly $560 million in acquisitions and capital investments to grow its North American protein business.