Olymel says it’s cutting about 80 jobs as it reduces its hog production in Western Canada.

The company says it’s closing five sow units in Alberta and one sow unit in Saskatchewan, in a move that will reduce its western sow herd to 40,000 from 57,000.

It says the barns will be wound down over the next several months and remain closed until market conditions improve.

The company says the closures will result in a net reduction of about 200,000 market hogs annually to its Red Deer slaughter plant from company owned farms. 

However, it says the impact will not be felt until 2024 at the earliest and will be subject to independent hog supply availability.

The company says it will work with the affected staff to fill any vacant positions within its western hog operations or find work outside the company. 

(Canadian Press)