Tyson Foods is closing beef plants in Joslin, Illinois, and Eagle Mountain, Utah, laying off approximately 3,200 employees. The Springdale, Arkansas-based company is also selling its Pasco, Washington facility. About 2,500 workers at the Joslin plant were affected immediately following Tyson's 13 August announcement. Up to 723 employees at Eagle Mountain will be laid off, with operations ending 12 October 2026. The closures follow a historic decline in US cattle inventory to 86.2 million head as of 1 January 2026, the lowest level in nearly 75 years according to the US Department of Agriculture. Tyson is restructuring around three facilities in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas. The National Cattlemen's Beef Association said the Joslin closure would significantly impact Midwest cattle producers and rural communities.

Tyson Foods is restructuring its beef operations in response to severe cattle shortages in the United States. The company will consolidate around three central facilities in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas. The restructuring will result in closures at Joslin, Illinois and Eagle Mountain, Utah facilities. Tyson is also pursuing the sale of its Pasco, Washington beef plant. Capacity from closed locations will shift to the remaining facilities, which have room to expand. USDA cattle inventory data shows continued supply constraints, with limited heifer retention indicating the shortage will persist. The company plans to restart a second shift at its Amarillo facility as cattle become available. Tyson says the changes will maintain similar cattle harvesting levels across a more efficient network whilst ensuring continued delivery of protein products.

Tyson Foods has integrated cultured meat into its growth strategy through Tyson Ventures, investing in companies like UPSIDE Foods and Future Meat Technologies. The traditional meat processor is leveraging its global supply chain and distribution network to eventually deploy hybrid and cultured products commercially, positioning itself against resource scarcity and changing consumer preferences. The company reported strong Q1 2026 results with revenue of $13.65 billion, up 4.43% year-over-year and beating analyst expectations. The growth was driven by margin recovery in chicken and pork segments, benefiting from lower grain costs and improved supply-chain efficiency. Tyson ranks sixth on a list of top lab-grown meat stocks, offering investors cash flows from traditional proteins alongside potential upside from its alternative protein venture portfolio.