Hormel Foods Corp., the nation's largest turkey processor, said that it acquired Clougherty Packing Co., a privately-held Southern California pork processor and maker of the Farmer John brand of pork products, for about $186 million.

Hormel Foods Corp., the nation's largest turkey processor, said that it acquired Clougherty Packing Co., a privately-held Southern California pork processor and maker of the Farmer John brand of pork products, for about $186 million. The company said the transaction will help strengthen its presence in the Southwest, and plans to add the Farmer John brand to its Herdez, Dona Maria and Bufalo product families. Hormel posted earnings of $185.8 million on total sales of $4.2 billion in 2003. Hormel said Clougherty's Vernon, California facility should help increase the company's production of further-processed foods to meet growing demand.