PLAINVIEW, Texas (AP) -- The impending closure of a Cargill Beef plant that employs 2,000 people has residents in one West Texas town praying for rain.

Cargill announced earlier this month it would close its plant in Plainview due to a tight cattle supply following years of drought. The severe lack of rain forced ranchers to sell off millions of animals they couldn't afford to feed, then leaving them to hold on to the relatively few cattle they had left.

The closure could devastate Plainview, a town of 22,000 people north of Lubbock.

The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reports (http://bit.ly/Xd5pAv ) that more than 300 people held a prayer rally Monday. One pastor called out for rain as attendees raised their hands in the air.

Others said they hoped the plant closure would open new opportunities elsewhere.

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Information from: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, http://www.lubbockonline.com

Copyright 2013 The AP.