Recent increases in energy and feed costs coupled with reductions in demand have affected profit margins and returns in the industry. In response to these conditions, some companies who contract with producers to supply poultry and pork have closed processing plants, reduced placements, and declined to renew contracts.
http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/!ut/p/_s.7_0_A/7_0_1OB?contentidonly=true&contentid=2010/03/0123.xml