JBS tells lawmakers it supports thousands of Kentucky jobs, highlights processing challenges

Representatives of JBS USA and Pilgrim's Pride described the company's Kentucky operations and economic ties to the state during a presentation to the interim agriculture committee. "Kentucky agriculture actually generates 49,600,000,000 in total economic import," Kimberly Prior, general counsel for JBS USA and Pilgrim's Pride, said while summarizing a University of Kentucky 2019 figure presented in inflation-adjusted terms.

Prior and corporate counsel Chloe Thomas said JBS and Pilgrim's Pride have two processing footprints in Kentucky (a Pilgrim's feed mill in Mayfield and a Louisville pork plant) and that those facilities create markets for growers, payroll and local vendor spending. Prior said JBS paid $50,000,000 a year to poultry growers and, since 2022, spent roughly $287,000,000 with 220 Kentucky vendors. The company described workforce programs, including a tuition program and a $750,000 national partnership with 4‑H.

Much of the committee discussion focused on whether Kentucky could attract and sustain more processing capacity. JBS counsel said barriers to building beef processing plants are high — large fixed costs, permitting, local resistance and cyclical cattle markets — and that smaller plants often struggle to survive without diversification: "For someone to build a smaller plant that is going to be inherently less efficient ... it's gonna be very hard," the company said. Members and company representatives discussed vertical integration, one-shift versus two-shift plants, and the economic ripple effects of processing capacity.

Chair and members praised the company's community investments and invited site tours. No formal committee action or requests for immediate state incentives were adopted at the meeting.