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Ransomware attack disrupts operations at JBS meatpacking plants in Marshalltown & Ottumwa

Ag/Outdoor, News

June 2nd, 2021 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Some shifts were cancelled at J-B-S meatpacking plants in Marshalltown and Ottumwa yesterday after a cyberattack on the company. An updated post on the Facebook page for the J-B-S plant in Ottumwa said the company is continuing to work through its I-T issues and no pigs were scheduled to slaughtered today (Wednesday) in Ottumwa on the first or second shift. However, shifts for other tasks within the facility in Ottumwa are still on as normal.

J-B-S is based in Brazil and is the world’s largest meat producer. All of its BEEF plants were shut down Tuesday by the cyber breach. J-B-S plants that process pork — like the two in Iowa — had some level of disruption, but weren’t completely idled. Markets were rattled by the news as J-B-S plants process about 20 percent of the cattle and hogs slaughtered in the U.S. The White House said the ransomware attack likely came from a criminal organization based in Russia.