DES MOINES, IOWA — After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Pure Prairie Poultry Inc. notified the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship that due to its financial situation, it can no longer purchase feed needed to care for its 1.3 million broiler chickens. On Oct. 2, the department was granted an emergency court order to take immediate care, custody and control of the chickens, located across 14 Iowa farms.

Before applying for an emergency court order, Iowa’s ag department sought other possible solutions by coordinating with state and federal agencies as well as industry partners. No immediate solution was available, so under its authority, the department filed for an emergency court order to take control of the birds, citing concern for animal welfare.

With the court order, the department is now working with the chicken farmers to provide proper feed and care for the birds. The department plans to get reimbursement of taxpayers’ costs from the responsible parties through legal remedies.

Pure Prairie Poultry runs a poultry processing operation in Charles City, Minn., with broiler grower contracts throughout Iowa. The facility employs 138 full-time workers.

Last month, the company filed for bankruptcy, reporting a loss of approximately $38 million from November 2023 until the present day.

“The court’s protections will enable the company to manage the sale process on an expedited basis while protecting the interest of employees, partners and other shareholders,” Pure Prairie Poultry told MEAT+POULTRY at the time of the filing. “The company has received indications of interest in a going-concern sale and expects to solicit bids and soon reach a preliminary agreement. 

“The company will conduct normal business operations during the period of its restructuring. Employee pay will continue to arrive in full, benefits will remain in place, retirement accounts are intact and protected.”