Tyson to Close Plants, Sell Pasco; 2,500 Jobs Affected

Tyson Foods is restructuring its beef business by closing the Joslin, Illinois plant and the Eagle Mountain, Utah facility, while seeking a buyer for the Pasco, Washington plant as it consolidates around three hubs in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas. Officials say the plan, driven by one of the country’s most historic cattle shortages, will affect about 2,500 workers in the Quad Cities region and reverberate through local producers and communities that rely on the plants. Tyson pledged to help affected employees find positions at other facilities, and industry groups and officials warned of significant economic and supply-chain challenges from the closures. The company maintains its goal of preserving cattle harvesting within a more efficient network, while industry voices urged collaboration with producers to identify alternative marketing opportunities. Politicians and industry representatives cautioned about long-term impacts on regional beef supply chains and livelihoods as the market adapts to tight inventories, drought, and other pressures shaping U.S. beef production. Overall, the announcements reflect a broader industry reorganization amid ongoing supply constraints.