Tyson Foods is scaling back its beef operations as the industry faces a historic cattle shortage.
The company plans to close beef facilities in Illinois, and in Utah, and to pursue the sale of another plant in Washington state.
The Illinois plant near Joslin is expected to close by Monday, affecting 2,700 employees in the Quad Cities region.
Tyson plans to concentrate more of its beef business at plants in Dakota City, Nebraska, of the Sioux City metro, plus also facilities in Kansas and Texas.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association says the Quad Cities closure will significantly affect producers, employees and rural communities across the region.
Rising costs, drought and international competition have pushed U.S. cattle numbers to levels not seen in about 75 years.
The changes come months after Tyson eliminated 3,200 jobs following the closure of its beef plant in Lexington, Nebraska, in January.
Tyson estimates its beef segment will post an adjusted operating loss of between $500 million and $650 million in fiscal year 2026.
