Hormel to Sell Whole-Bird Turkey Business to Life-Science Innovations
Ahead of its presentation at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York’s conference, Hormel Foods Corp. announced that it has agreed to sell its whole-bird turkey business to Life-Science Innovations (LSI), in a deal that is expected to close in the second quarter of fiscal 2026 for Hormel.
LSI will acquire the Melrose, Minn., whole-bird turkey production facility, the Swan Mill, Minn., feed mill, and associated transportation assets, Hormel said. Third-party turkey grower contracts serving the business will also transfer over to LSI, and LSI will provide co-manufacturing services to Hormel Foods through the end of fiscal 2026. LSI is based in Willmar, Minn., and is a diversified organization that supports a family of companies in agriculture and poultry.
The move does not include ownership of the Jennie-O brand or the value-added turkey business, and was made to reduce exposure to what interim chief executive officer Jeff Ettinger called a “more volatile, commodity-driven” business.
Financial terms were not disclosed, and Hormel expects minimal impact to its adjusted fiscal 2026 financial results.
About the Author
Andy Hanacek
Senior Editor
Andy Hanacek has covered meat, poultry, bakery and snack foods as a B2B editor for nearly 20 years, and has toured hundreds of processing plants and food companies, sharing stories of innovation and technological advancement throughout the food supply chain. In 2018, he won a Folio:Eddie Award for his unique "From the Editor's Desk" video blogs, and he has brought home additional awards from Folio and ASBPE over the years. In addition, Hanacek led the Meat Industry Hall of Fame for several years and was vice president of communications for We R Food Safety, a food safety software and consulting company.