Smithville losing grain mill

Workers at Niagara Grain in Smithville say they were blindsided by the news their feed mill is shutting down at the end of May.

All 20 employees at the feed mill will lose their jobs. Niagara Grain produces feed primarily for Ontario’s poultry industry. It’s been in Smithville for decades.

The mill is owned by Maple Lodge Farms. Another mill in Ayr is closing at the end of this month.

Randy Stitt says everyone’s in shock, and he doesn’t know what he’s going to do next:  “Very sad. Some of the guys have been there 30 years — and we’re not really ready for retirement yet. This is the second feed mill that’s closed down on me. I worked at one at Shurgain too and that closed also.”

No one from Maple Lodge Farms returned calls from CHCH News; neither did West Lincoln mayor Doug Joyner.