Following the acquisition of Sanderson Farms in a $4.5 billion transaction, the consortium comprising Continental Grain, owners of Wayne Farms Inc. and partner Cargill Inc. are evidently rationalizing the structure and operation of the combined facilities of Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms. Accordingly, Wayne Farms has agreed to sell their Laurel, MS. plant to Amick Farms since this will be a redundant operation, given the larger Sanderson Farms plant in Laurel. In 2020, Wayne Farms invested $17 million on upgrades to the Laurel plant including new cutting, deboning, portioning, and packing operations.
Clint Rivers, President and CEO of Wayne Farms, stated “While the decision to sell the Laurel facility was not easy for Wayne Farms this is an important step in completing our proposed transaction with Sanderson Farms.” 
He added, “We have a very long and positive relationship with the Laurel Community and we are glad we have been able to reach an agreement with a solid operator like Amick Farms who will continue that community partnership.”
Amick Farms, owned by the OSI Group, is ranked 11th among broiler producers with an approximate production of 3.0 million broilers per week through plants in Hurlock, MD and Batesburg, SC. In commenting on the transaction, Ben Harrison, President of Amick Farms, noted that the acquisition will allow the company to expand the customer base and product range.