Andrews – An egg production operation is one of several contributors to Cherokee County’s diverse economy, which has thus far allowed it to weather the financial implications of Gov. Roy Cooper’s business shutdowns.
Dutt & Wagner produces about 500,000 eggs each day on a farm outside town and delivers to major retail distributors throughout the region.
“It’s been a rollercoaster ride for us during COVID,” said Lake Wagner, general manager and fourth-generation owner of the company. “Initially there was huge demand at retail to the point where it was difficult to keep up. Then, as COVID progressed, the majority of food service businesses declined. It’s been difficult to predict demand because it’s been coming in waves depending on what’s happening with COVID and business closures.
“In the egg industry, we’re used to ups and downs in the market. Luckily, we haven’t had to implement any layoffs.”
Formerly Parker & Reichman
Dutt & Wagner, which is based in Abingdon, Va., acquired the local egg farm from Parker & Reichman in 2017. The two companies had been conducting business together prior to the sale, and the acquisition was Dutt & Wagner’s largest expansion in 15 years.
“We’re the last major egg farm in Virginia,” Wagner said. “In North Carolina, there’s four other egg producers besides us.”
The Andrews farm purchases 90 percent of the corn it uses in chicken feed from local farmers, which further contributes to the county’s financial stability. The facility uses about 9,000 bushels of corn each week.
“That was one of the drivers of our interest in the location,” Wagner said. “It’s pretty phenomenal that we’re able to get that much corn locally. It’s not like we’re on the Corn Belt in the Midwest, where there’s a corn farm everywhere you turn.”
Most workers local
During the acquisition, Dutt & Wagner retained the majority of the workforce. Today, most of the employees at the Andrews farm are residents who were local to the area before the acquisition.
“They’re great people, and without that the farm wouldn’t be possible,” Wagner said.
Dutt & Wagner is in the process of converting all of the older caged barns at the Andrews farm with a goal to be 100 percent cage-free at this location. The company is also hiring for various positions and always looking for local corn growers.
“Most people don’t think to build an egg farm right in the middle of the mountains because the land doesn’t really lay like you’d want,” Wagner said. “It’s one of the most beautiful locations for an egg farm in the country.”
Anyone interested in the opportunities can call 837-2498 or email info@duttandwagner.com.