California’s largest cattle-raising operation to be sold

COALINGA, Calif. (AP) — California’s largest cattle-raising operation is being sold.

The Fresno Bee says Harris Ranch Beef Co. is being sold to Hanford-based Central Valley Meat Co. The paper says the companies will operate independently under the combined ownership of Central Valley Meat Holding Co.

The paper says the deal was announced last week but the price and other details haven’t been released.

The deal includes Harris Ranch cattle pens in the Central Valley that can handle 250,000 cattle along with a slaughterhouse and processing plant.

The sale doesn’t include the company’s large farming and horse-breeding operations or its inn and restaurant.

The family-owned agribusiness was founded in the San Joaquin Valley in 1937. Its website says the company has more than $400 million a year in sales.