MOULTRIE, Ga. – National Beef Packing Co. lost its contract with Walmart, but company officials said they expect no changes at the Moultrie, Ga., plant, according to the Moultrie Observer.

National Beef produced case-ready beef, hamburger and pork for Walmart, the largest US retailer. Company officials said they anticipated the change and had a contingency plan aimed at diversifying the company’s customer base. The facility employs 400 workers and is one of the largest private employers in Colquitt County.

In January, Leucadia National Corp., a diversified holding company engaged in a variety of businesses, acquired approximately 79 percent outstanding ownership interests in Kansas City, Mo.-based National Beef Packing in a deal reportedly worth $1.3 billion.

National Beef has operations in Liberal, Dodge City and Kansas City, Kan.; Brawley, Calif.; Hummels Wharf, Pa.; Moultrie and St. Joseph, Mo. The company employs approximately 9,100 workers company-wide. National Beef processes and markets fresh beef, case-ready beef, beef by-products and wet-blue leather for domestic and international markets. In fiscal year 2011, National Beef generated sales of $6.8 billion.