Tyson Foods today announced network restructuring for its beef business to strengthen long-term performance.
According to the company’s website, “Tyson Foods is making strategic changes to its beef operations to position the company for long-term success. Tyson Foods will anchor its beef business around three strategically located beef facilities in the central United States: Dakota City, Neb.; Holcomb, Kan., and Amarillo, Texas, to create a more competitive footprint amidst one of the most historic cattle shortages the country has ever experienced. Recent USDA cattle inventory data, which included continued evidence of limited heifer retention, indicates these supply constraints are likely to persist, requiring strategic action.”
The company will end operations at its Joslin, Ill., beef facility and its Eagle Mountain, Utah, case-ready facility. Capacity from these locations will be moved to more strategically located facilities with ample capacity to grow. Additionally, Tyson Foods is pursuing the sale of its Pasco, Wash., beef facility.
A letter sent to Joslin team members that was shared with Drovers says: “Job duties in harvest operations will end on or around Aug. 13, 2026, and duties in processing operations will end on or around Aug.14, 2026. Most team members will not be required to work past those dates. However, you will be compensated through Oct. 12, 2026, and your employment will not be terminated until that date.”
The Joslin facility employs more than 2,000 people. According to John Nalivka of Sterling Marketing Inc. Joslin could harvest about 3,100 cattle a day and Pasco 2,300 cattle a day.
Nalivka, who authors Profit Tracker, says, “I often indicated, the industry will reduce capacity in the face of tight cattle numbers.”
With the announced changes, Tyson says it will ramp back up a second shift at its Amarillo, Texas, facility as cattle become available. Current daily capacity in Amarillo is 2,750. Tyson reduced Amarillo to one shift in January when it also closed its Lexington, Neb., facility.
“Collectively, these changes will allow the company to maintain a similar level of cattle harvesting across a more efficient and modern network,” the announcement says.
Tyson Foods says it recognizes the impact these decisions will have on team members and communities. The company is committed to supporting its team members through this transition, including helping them apply for open positions at other facilities.
We will continue to add perspective to this story as the news unfolds.
Your Next Reads:
