Aug. 21—CLINTON — The temporary closure of Naeve Family Beef meat processing and packaging plant in Camanche was announced on Wednesday.
"We regret to inform you that our plant will be temporarily ceasing operations effective immediately," the announcement released by the Naeve family on social media states. "Although we continue to work towards a solution to continue operations, we are unable to keep processing at this time."
Naeve Family Beef President Andrew Naeve did not respond to attempts for further comment.
He and his brother Adam are the sixth generation to continue the family business begun with their great-grandfather John Naeve's purchase of a farm in Andover in 1895.
In 1978, their grandfather, Alan, and father, Ray, focused efforts on cattle-feed operations producing high-quality cattle, thus establishing "Naeve Livestock Farms."
Over four decades later, in decidedly adequate market conditions, Andrew and Adam decided it was the right time to bring the dream they'd long shared of opening their own meat processing plant to fruition.
Giving attention to detail right from the start, their process began with six months of arduous research and expert studies, followed by several months of construction beginning in the spring of 2021 at 1902 Seventh Ave. in Camanche.
The 15,000-square-foot facility sitting on 12.5 acres of land would ultimately take an investment of about $12 million.
Andrew's wife, Kristin at that time told The Herald that the Naeve brothers were taking a massive risk by making the plant a reality, but they knew they had a good product to offer to the community.
Operations finally began and the first beef harvested at Naeve Family Beef custom beef packaging and processing plant in early June 2022.
Cattle of the Naeve family's own herd, raised with corn, soybeans, wheat, and alfalfa of the family's own crops accounting for 70% of their feed needs, began being transported to the plant via the Naeve's own fleet of trucks.
According to the business's website, the plant has the capacity and capabilities to process about 50 head of cattle per day. Naeve cattle made up about 60% of processing and packaging operations, allowing them to be able to assist other area beef producers as well.
In Dec. of 2022, the site became BRC-certified, supplying federally inspected products to several area businesses that featured them on their menus, such as Mike's Fun Foods, Father's Pizza, and Hook's Pub & Grill in neighboring Clinton.
Historically, meat processing plant conditions for employees have been found to be inadequate with poor ventilation and little space. The Naeve Family Beef plant, however, was designed with attention to employee comfort and safety with temperature-controlled floors and ample space.