Olymel closes $65-million deal for Big Sky Farms

Big Sky Farms in Humboldt, Sask., is seen here in this CTV file photo.

Olymel said Monday that it has closed its deal to buy the Canadian assets of bankrupt company Big Sky Farms Inc., the second largest hog producer in the country, for $65.25 million.

The deal includes all of Big Sky Farms' operations in Canada including its breeding herd, boar studs, maternities and finishing sites.

Big Sky Farms employs more than 400 people and has a herd of 42,000 sows, with annual production of one million hogs.

The Saskatchewan-based company filed for bankruptcy last year due to high feed costs.

Olymel slaughters, processes and distributes of pork and poultry with operations in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick.