NORTH PLATTE, NEB. — Sustainable Beef LLC announced on March 18 the appointment of Ryan Wagnon as general manager of its new beef processing plant in North Platte, Neb.

“Ryan has a very well-rounded background, and I am particularly impressed with his strong, people oriented, leadership style,” said Bill Rupp, board member of Sustainable Beef.

Wagnon will bring his experience from a 22-year career in beef processing to the role. He is a graduate of Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

Wagnon will relocate to North Platte this summer, as Sustainable Beef continues to prepare to open the new facility in the summer of 2025.

Sustainable Beef plans to hire other senior management this year, particularly in the areas of accounting, human resources, plant maintenance, plant operations, purchasing and safety. Hiring of line workers is anticipated for 2025.

In 2020, Sustainable Beef first formed with plans to construct a $400 million plant in North Platte.

The company broke ground on the over 500,000-square-foot facility in October 2022. Sustainable Beef expects to employ over 800 employees once fully operational, with capacity to process more than 1,500 cattle per day and up to 100,000 per year. 

A small group of cattlemen and local investors are partnering with Walmart to connect the various points of beef supply chain together to efficiently provide a secure beef supply.

“We are creating a unique cooperative model where all aspects of the beef supply chain work together in doing what is best for all parties involved,” said David Briggs, chief executive officer of Sustainable Beef.