Sanderson Farms Reopening Mississippi Plants

NEW YORK - Sep 1/05 - SNS -- Damage to Sanderson Farms, Inc. plants in the state of Mississippi from Hurricane Katrina was not extensive and the company hopes to restore full operations by the weekend.

Electrical services have been restored to all but its Macomb, Mississippi, complex. Water has been restored to all but its Laurel, Mississippi, processing plant.

The Company continues to target the weekend or early next week to resume full operations at its Mississippi facilities, the timing of which will depend primarily on potable water certification. Of course, the Company's Texas and Georgia facilities continue to operate normally.

The Company concluded its assessment of the Hammond, Louisiana, facility last night, and reports that it also experienced no significant damage. Water and electrical services have been restored to that facility as well. The Company expects to begin processing at its Hammond facility by week's end.

Sanderson Farms, Inc. is engaged in the production, processing, marketing and distribution of fresh and frozen chicken and other prepared food items.