Tyson Foods Announces Closure of Joslin, Illinois Beef Plant Amid Historic Cattle Shortage

Tyson Foods disclosed that it will cease operations at its beef-processing plant in Joslin, Illinois, and its case-ready facility in Eagle Mountain, Utah, while seeking a buyer for its Pasco, Washington, beef plant. The shutdown of the Joslin site becomes effective on August 14. The company frames the moves as “strategic changes” intended to anchor its beef business around three central-U.S. facilities in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas.

Tyson Foods to close beef plants in Illinois, Utah Tyson Foods to Close Beef Plants Amid Cattle Shortage USA TodayTyson Foods To Close 2 Beef Plants, Sell Third Amid Cattle Shortage Tyson Foods to close two facilities, pursue sale of third amid cattle shortage Tyson Foods to close two facilities and sell another amid beef business restructuring

The decision follows USDA cattle inventory data showing “limited heifer retention,” which Tyson’s release cites as evidence that supply constraints are likely to persist. Tyson’s beef segment has recorded a $138 million adjusted operating loss for the quarter ended June 27, with volumes down 15.9 % year-over-year. Earlier in the fiscal year, the company closed a plant in Lexington, Nebraska, and reduced the Amarillo, Texas, facility to a single shift.

Tyson Foods to close two facilities, pursue sale of third amid cattle shortage

• Joslin, Illinois plant: approximately 2,500 workers (union-represented).

NBC Chicago - WMAQ

• Eagle Mountain, Utah plant: capacity designed for 800–1,200 employees; exact job loss not disclosed.

Tyson Foods to close beef plants in Illinois, Utah

• Beef-segment performance: Q3 loss $138 million vs. $116 million a year earlier; projected FY loss $500 million–$650 million.

Tyson Foods to close beef plants in Illinois, Utah

• Compensation: employees will receive pay through October 12 per the WARN-Act notice.

Tyson Foods Set to Close Two, Sell Third Beef Facility

Tyson’s news release states that the closures are part of a plan to “create a more competitive footprint” amid ongoing cattle shortages. Capacity from the closed sites will be shifted to the three central facilities, which have “ample capacity to grow.”

Tyson Foods to close two facilities and sell another amid beef business restructuring

• “I feel deeply for these families who depended on this plant for their livelihood,” — Sen. Li Arellano

Elburn Herald

• “I am stunned and saddened by the news that Tyson Foods is closing after 43 years in Joslin,” — Illinois Rep. Ryan Spain

Elburn Herald

Sources differ on the exact headcount for the Eagle Mountain facility: some describe it as employing “between 800 and 1,200” workers, while others simply note the plant’s closure without specifying numbers. The total number of jobs eliminated is reported as “about 2,500” (Illinois) plus an unspecified figure for Utah, with one outlet suggesting “more than 3,000” jobs overall. Details about the prospective buyer for the Pasco, Washington, plant remain undisclosed.

Tyson Foods to close beef plants in Illinois, Utah

Sen. Arellano will host a town hall in Port Byron for residents to discuss the closure. Tyson’s WARN-Act notice indicates that affected employees will continue receiving pay through October 12. The company plans to ramp up a second shift at its Amarillo, Texas, facility once cattle supplies improve, shifting production capacity from the closed sites to the three central plants.

NBC Chicago - WMAQ