Tyson Foods to close 2 facilities, pursue sale of another amid 'historic' cattle shortage - Fox Business

Tyson Foods announced on August 13, 2026, that it will close its Joslin, Illinois, beef plant and its Eagle Mountain, Utah, case-ready facility while seeking a buyer for its Pasco, Washington, beef facility as part of strategic changes to its beef business.
The company said it will consolidate its beef operations around three facilities in the central United States—Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas—to build a more competitive footprint amid what it called one of the most historic cattle shortages the country has experienced.
Tyson cited recent USDA cattle inventory data showing continued limited heifer retention, indicating that tight supply constraints are likely to persist and require strategic action.
Capacity from the Illinois and Utah facilities will shift to other Tyson locations described as having ample room to grow, and the company plans to restart a second shift at its Amarillo, Texas, plant as more cattle become available.
Tyson said it will support affected employees through the transition, including helping them apply for open positions at other facilities, and framed the moves as maintaining similar cattle harvesting levels across a more efficient network.
The restructuring comes as American consumers face elevated beef prices and meatpackers contend with tight cattle supplies and higher costs; Tyson Foods (TSN) shares rose 3.16% to $58.17 following the news.