Stephens analyst Farha Aslam said Costco's (COST) plan to build a poultry processing plant in Nebraska should have little near-term impact on meat industry profitability, but she believes the new plant could signal a change in retailer's food procurement strategy with wide implications over the longer term. Costco is said to have hired Walt Shafer, formerly EVP of Operations and Sales at Pilgrim's Pride (PPC), to lead its chicken effort and his involvement may imply that this plant may potentially be the first of a number of other facilities, said Aslam. The firm has Overweight ratings on Pilgrim's Pride and Sanderson Farms (SAFM).