The U.S. poultry and feed industries were well represented when Time released its 2026 list of America's Best Private Companies.
This list ranks privately held U.S. organizations for excellence in associate satisfaction and company impact. To identify the leaders in this space, Time partnered with data firm Statista. The analysis highlights 500 privately owned companies ranked high on employee satisfaction surveys and positive net impact on society, global knowledge and health and the environment.
Of those 500 companies, eight are ones we regularly cover for WATTPoultry.com or FeedStrategy.com. They are:
Cargill
Cargill ranked the highest among those eight, coming in at No. 78. The diversified global agrifood company is the world's fourth-largest feed producer and the world's 16th-largest broiler producer. The company also had consistently ranked as the third-largest turkey producer in the United States before closing one of its plants and selling two others to Pitman Family Farms.
Perdue Farms
Perdue Farms was ranked No. 140. Perdue is the fifth-largest broiler producer in the United States and the ninth-largest turkey producer. It also ranks as the 64th-largest feed company in the world. Perdue Farms CEO Kevin McAdams, in a press release, credited employees for their role in making Time's list, saying: "For more than 106 years, Perdue's success has always started with our associates. This recognition reflects the culture they help create every day and the company values that continue to guide us as we serve our customers, consumers and communities while evolving for the future."
Mountaire
Mountaire was ranked No. 216 on Time's list. It is the fourth-largest broiler producer in the United States and the 54th-largest feed producer in the world.
Land O'Lakes
Land O'Lakes made Time's list at No. 260. It is the second-largest feed producer in the United States and the eighth-largest in the world. The company operates 25 feed mills.
Alltech
Coming in at No. 328 was Alltech, which is the 22nd-largest feed producer in the world. Headquartered just outside Lexington, Kentucky, Alltech serves customers in more than 140 countries, has five bioscience centers and operates more than 80 manufacturing facilities across the globe.
Allen Harim Foods
Following closely behind at No. 329 was Allen Harim Foods, which is the 18th-largest broiler producer in the United States. Based in Millsboro, Delaware, the company employs approximately 2,000 people.
Simmons Foods
Right behind Allen Harim was Simmons Foods at No. 330. Simmons Foods is the 13th-largest broiler producer in the United States. It also has a strong presence in the feed and pet food industries.
Peco Foods
Peco Foods also made the top 500 at No. 463. Peco is the eighth-largest broiler producer in the United States. It also ranks as the world's 87th-largest feed producer.
I think the inclusion of so many poultry and feed companies in this prestigious list bodes well for the agrifood industry, and it is something industry-wide we can feel good about. There's always room for improvement, no matter the company, but it's also good to be recognized for the good you do.
Congratulations to all the companies that made the list.
