Cargill, a producer of food and agricultural products, completed its acquisition of animal nutrition company Provimi for around US$2.1 billion.

The company will mainly focus on feeds for cattle, poultry and swine producers, though Cargill does produce and market companion animal foods in the US, primarily through feed stores and other agricultural retailers under its Loyall petfood and River Run dog food brands. Cargill also markets bagged feed for horses, poultry, goats, rabbits and other animals under the Nutrena (US) and Purina (international) brands.

Ton van der Laan, previously chairman and group CEO of Provimi, will lead Cargill’s new animal business as corporate vice president, along with Joe Stone, Cargill’s animal nutrition business leader. The combined company will employ more than 16,000 people in 37 countries, according to Cargill.

Provimi sold its European petfood business to the private equity group Advent International earlier in 2011 for nearly US$240 million.