Anheuser-Busch will close Moorhead malting plant

Anheuser-Busch will close a malting operation in Moorhead and sell grain elevators in West Fargo and Sutton, N.D.

The brewer announced it has reached an agreement with Rahr Malting Co. to take over the capacity of the Moorhead operation.

The Moorhead malting facility opened in 1978 and processed millions of bushels of barley each year, shipping the prepared malt to brewing operations in St. Louis.

Barley grown in Minnesota and North Dakota will instead be processed at Rahr's Shakopee Malt House starting next year.

The company called the move part of an effort to "rebalance the company's malting footprint."

More than 250 farmers in the Midwest now sell more than $50 million worth of malting barley to Anheuser-Busch annually — and the company said those relationships will not be affected by the change.

"We remain committed to supporting our grower partners and will continue to source directly from them as we have for the past 165 years," said Anheuser-Busch Director of Agronomy Nicole Zahradka. "We are confident that the actions we're taking now will allow us to even better serve our customers while also becoming a stronger company and industry leader."

The company did not provide details about workers at the Moorhead plant, but it has employed about 40 people in the past.

A spokesperson said the company is "committed to ensuring that this transition is as smooth as possible for our employees."