Tyson Foods Shuts Plants, Lays Off 3,200+ as Cattle Crisis Hits

Tyson Foods announced on August 13 it will close beef processing plants in Joslin, Illinois, and Eagle Mountain, Utah, eliminating over 3,200 jobs as the U.S. faces its most severe cattle shortage in decades . The U.S. cattle herd fell to approximately 86.2 million head as of January 1, 2026, a 75-year low, according to USDA data . Tyson plans to concentrate operations in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas, while seeking a buyer for its Pasco, Washington, facility . The company warned its beef segment could post an adjusted operating loss of $500 million to $650 million in fiscal 2026 . Retail ground beef prices reached a record $8.65 per pound in June . President Trump announced a 90-day tariff exemption on up to 300,000 metric tons of ground beef imports to lower prices .