The temporary closing of some meat processors due to the COVID-19 outbreak is raising worries among Iowa livestock producers. 

“I think every producer fears that there will be a disruption,” said Mike Paustian, a Scott County Farm Bureau member and president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA). “That’s why I’m being optimistic. I think we have a good chance there won’t be a widespread disruption that causes chaos.”

Paustian’s hogs were bound for the Tyson Foods plant in Columbus Junction until it shut down early last week. He said Tyson quickly rerouted his market hogs to plants in...