Greeley-based JBS USA acquiring Cargill’s pork business for $1.45 billion

GREELEY — JBS USA has entered into an agreement to acquire Cargill’s U.S.-based pork business for $1.45 billion, the two companies announced Wednesday.

Completion of the acquisition is subject to regulatory review and approval.

Martin Dooley, president and chief operating officer of JBS USA Pork, said in a prepared statement that the success of Cargill’s pork team and hog suppliers, as well as its industry leadership in areas such as animal welfare, led JBS to pursue the acquisition.

Greeley-based JBS USA is acquiring two of Wichita-based Cargill’s Midwest meat-processing plants, one in Ottumwa, Iowa, and the other at Beardstown, Ill. Both plants were acquired by Cargill in 1987, and in 2014…