Eye on Operations: Dean Foods, XL Foods in the news

Citing cost concerns, Dean Foods Co., Dallas, said it plans this fall to close dairies in Flint, Mich., and Lincoln, Neb. A Dean spokeswoman told the Flint (Mich.) Journal that Dean simply had too many dairies in Michigan and that -- after an August shutdown -- the company will transfer Flint production to plants in Livonia and Grand Rapids. The Nebraska plant is scheduled to close in September. . . . Fresh and frozen beef processor XL Foods Inc., Calgary, Alberta, Canada, said a scarcity of cattle means the company will be forced to idle its Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan plant until this September.