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Smithfield Foods Shuts Down Major Pork Processing Facility

Smithfield Foods has announced that its Sioux Falls, South Dakota facility will remain closed until further notice due to an outbreak of COVID-19 among employees.

The plant is one of the largest pork processing facilities in the U.S., representing four to five percent of U.S. pork production.

Smithfield President and CEO Kenneth Sullivan says with a number of shutdowns across the country, the U.S. could be on the brink of a meat shortage.

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CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

Video: CEOs of the Industry – International Edition Michael Agerley | Partner, IQinAbox

In this CEOs of the Industry – International Edition, we sit down with Michael Agerley, Partner at IQinAbox, to explore how data is reshaping the future of pig production.

After more than 20 years as a veterinarian, Michael shares his unique perspective on the shift from hands-on animal care to data-driven decision making across the pork value chain.

We dive into:

• How better data is improving real on-farm decisions

• The biggest opportunities still untapped in pig production

• How Europe is leading (and where it’s still lagging) in tech adoption

• The role of AI and smart systems in the next 5–10 years

• Why trust, leadership, and practical application matter more than ever

This conversation bridges veterinary insight, technology, and real-world farming, offering a clear look at where the industry is headed—and what it will take to get there.