Tyson Foods Reshapes Beef Footprint Amid Tight US Cattle Supplies

Late last week, major industry player Tyson Foods announced a restructuring of its beef network, a move aimed at offsetting the challenges posed by declining US cattle production and strengthening the business for the long term.

Tyson said it plans to anchor its beef operations around three strategically located plants. As part of the restructuring, the company will close its beef facility in Joslin, Illinois, and its case-ready facility in Eagle Mountain, Utah. Tyson is also...

NCBA Statement on Tyson Foods’ Joslin Plant Closure & Facility Changes

Today [August 13, 2026], National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Executive Officer Colin Woodall issued the following statement in response to Tyson Foods’ announced closure of its beef processing plant in Joslin, Illinois, and additional restructuring efforts:

“NCBA is troubled by the closure of the Joslin beef processing facility. For many years, the plant has played a vital role in the Midwest beef supply chain, and its closure will significantly impact cattle producers, employees, and rural communities across the region. We encourage Tyson to work closely with its longstanding customers to identify alternative marketing opportunities for their cattle...

Pilgrim’s Announces Investment in Ellijay, Georgia to Align With Growing Consumer Demand

Pilgrim’s today announced a strategic investment to expand and modernize its Ellijay, Georgia poultry facility, strengthening the company’s ability to meet evolving consumer preferences, support key customer growth, and enhance long-term operational excellence.

The approximately $75 million investment will increase harvesting and portioning capacity in Ellijay and enable the facility to produce a broader mix of higher-value, boneless chicken products — including those used in popular chicken sandwiches, tenders, and other fast-growing categories. This investment supports key customers’ growth plans, through a change in Pilgrim’s...

DOL Awards Wore Than $1.6 Million to Assist Workers Affected by Closure of Nebraska Beef Plant

The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded $1,671,239 to the Nebraska Department of Labor to support employment and training services for eligible individuals in communities affected by the closure of the Tyson Foods Inc. beef processing plant in Lexington.

On Jan. 20, 2026, Tyson Foods closed its beef processing plant in Lexington, resulting in the layoff of 3,200 workers. This is an unprecedented event for the Lexington community, affecting one-third of approximately 10,500 residents.

Administered by the department’s Employment and Training...

Nebraska Cattlemen Disappointed by Tyson Foods' Beef Processing Plant Closure in Lexington

The Nebraska Cattlemen Board of Directors released the following statement in response to Tyson Foods’ announcement it will permanently close the beef processing plant in Lexington: 

“We are disappointed by Tyson’s decision to permanently close the Lexington beef processing facility – especially in light of today’s USDA data indicating that Nebraska cattle-on-feed inventories remain slightly above year-ago levels in spite of the ongoing cyclical tightness in overall U.S. cattle numbers. We firmly believe there isn’t a better place to efficiently and economically raise cattle and produce beef than Nebraska. As this...