Tyson Foods shutters beef plants in Illinois and Utah, eliminating 3,200 jobs

Tyson Foods is closing beef plants in Illinois and Utah, and selling its Washington plant, citing low cattle supplies. The closures will affect jobs and cattle producers' marketing options. Tyson's beef sales fell to $5.39B in Q3, with a $701M operating loss. Industry groups express concerns about reduced processing capacity and increased costs.

Tyson Foods is closing 3 beef plants and cutting 3,200 jobs due to shrinking U.S. cattle herds, the lowest since the 1950s, according to USDA data. The company cited persistent supply constraints. The industry faces challenges like drought, high beef prices, and a potential screwworm outbreak. Some meatpackers are under antitrust investigation.

US beef prices are expected to remain high due to a historic cattle shortage, with supplies down to 86.2 million, the lowest since the 1950s. Droughts, high costs, and trade policy uncertainty have contributed to the shortage, driving beef prices up 9.4% year-over-year. Tyson Foods (TSN) is shutting facilities and expects a $500M-$650M loss in its beef business. USDA forecasts tight supplies through 2027, with herd rebuilding uncertain.

Tyson Foods will close or sell three U.S. beef facilities due to a historic cattle shortage, impacting its beef business. The company expects wider losses, forecasting a $500M-$650M adjusted operating loss for fiscal 2026. Tyson shares have fallen nearly 30% over five years. The closures may affect regional cattle prices but are unlikely to impact national livestock prices significantly.

Tyson Foods is restructuring its beef operations, closing one facility and potentially selling another, citing excess processing capacity. The closures will impact 2,500 workers and may increase transportation costs for cattle producers. The company expects its beef segment to lose $500M-$650M this fiscal year due to higher cattle costs and lower volumes.

Tyson Foods said it will cut about 3,200 jobs by closing beef facilities in Illinois (about 2,500 layoffs at Joslin) and Utah (723 at Eagle Mountain) and sell its Pasco, Washington plant. The moves follow USDA data showing the US cattle herd at 86.2 million head as of Jan 1, 2026. Tyson reported a $142 million beef operating loss and expects $500 million to $650 million in fiscal 2026 losses.