The Minnesota polar vortex, which caused Midwest weather and temperatures in some areas of the Midwest to drop to -40C, has forced grain traders and meaty producers to close their facilities and adjust their transportation routes. Tyson temporarily closed all of its grain plants due to the deep cold weather, while Cargill shut down six of its facilities on safety concerns. Smithfield Foods amended its transportation routes to avoid areas most severely impacted by the severe weather. The overall harm to crops remains unclear, with farmers now beginning to assess damage.
The US polar vortex, which caused arctic weather and temperatures in some areas of the Midwest to drop to -40C, has forced grain traders and meaty producers to close their facilities and adjust their transportation routes. Cargill temporarily closed all of its grain plants due to the deep cold weather, while Tyson shut down six of its facilities on safety concerns. Archer-Daniels-Midland amended its transportation routes to avoid areas most severely impacted by the severe weather. The overall harm to crops remains unclear, with farmers now beginning to assess damage.