Wayne-Sanderson Farms announced the grand opening of its new, state-of-the-art feed mill at the company’s Danville Complex in Arkansas.
The $43 million facility is designed to produce more than 8,500 tons of feed per week, supporting 130 family farm partners throughout the region. Company leaders and team members were joined by state and local dignitaries on Wednesday for a celebratory ribbon-cutting ceremony.
“The opening of our new Danville feed mill represents a major investment in the long-term success of our company and the local farming community,” said Kevin McDaniel, President and CEO of Wayne-Sanderson Farms. “This facility enhances our operational efficiency, supports the family farms at the heart of our supply chain, and reinforces our commitment to sustainable poultry production in Arkansas.”
The Danville feed mill is equipped with advanced automation technology to produce nine types of feed formulations tailored to various nutritional needs, ranging from baby chick feed to broiler, pullet and hen formulas. The mill includes two dedicated receiving systems capable of unloading up to 26,500 bushels of soy or corn grain per hour, and operates entirely on truck-delivered ingredients to optimize supply chain efficiency. It also offers expanded storage for feed products and ingredients, along with additional warehouse space for inventory management. In addition to supplying regional poultry farms, the facility will source corn and other grains from local farmers, amplifying its economic impact throughout the surrounding agricultural community.
“We are proud to expand our footprint in Arkansas and excited about the long-term benefits this new feed mill will bring to our employees, farm partners, and the greater River Valley area,” said Toby Tapp, Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ Danville Complex Manager. “This achievement would not have been possible without the ongoing support of the City of Danville, Yell County, the Arkansas Economic Development Commission, and Arkansas Poultry Federation.”
Guests attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony were given the opportunity to tour the facility and meet the dedicated team responsible for its daily operations. The feed mill currently employs four salaried and 15 hourly personnel. The event highlighted Wayne-Sanderson Farms’ commitment to fostering strong community partnerships and supporting regional economic growth.
“Agriculture is Arkansas’ largest industry, and Arkansas farmers are the backbone of our state’s economy,” said Governor Sanders. “It’s investments like these that keep our rural communities strong and ensure that the future of farming in Arkansas remains strong for generations to come. Thank you, Wayne-Sanderson Farms for being such a community staple and for building this important mill.”
“Building a new feed mill is a significant investment, and we are proud that Wayne-Sanderson Farms has chosen Danville, Arkansas as the site for their newest facility,” said Clint O’Neal, executive director of the Arkansas Economic Development Commission. “Wayne-Sanderson Farms has deep roots in Danville, and this feed mill will help both the company and the community as it creates new jobs and drives growth in the poultry sector.”
About Wayne-Sanderson Farms
Wayne-Sanderson Farms is an industry leader and the nation’s third-largest poultry producer, serving customers, consumers and communities with integrity, leadership and responsible farm, workplace and business practices. With a diverse portfolio of products, a strong operating culture and an industry-leading workforce of more than 26,000 people and over 2,000 farm partners, Wayne-Sanderson Farms owns and operates 23 fresh and further-processing facilities across Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas. Wayne – Sanderson Farms produces affordable, high-quality poultry products for retail, foodservice, restaurant, industrial and institutional segments under the brand names of SANDERSON FARMS® COVINGTON FARMS®, NAKED TRUTH®, BUFFALOOS®, FLY’N SAUCERS®, CRISPY FLIERS®, PLATINUM HARVEST®, CHEF’S CRAFT®, WAYNE FARMS®, and WAYNE-SANDERSON FARMS®. For more information, visit WayneSandersonFarms.com or follow Wayne-Sanderson Farms on LinkedIn, Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram.
About the Arkansas Economic Development Commission
At AEDC, we know economic advancement doesn’t happen by accident. We work strategically with businesses and communities to create strong economic opportunities, making Arkansas the natural choice for success. AEDC is a division of the Arkansas Department of Commerce. To learn more, visit ArkansasEDC.com.
