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Tyson to Shut Lexington Beef Plant, Trim Amarillo Operations in January

The company cites scarce cattle supplies driving losses in its beef unit.

Overview

  • Tyson said the changes are expected around January 20, shifting the Amarillo, Texas facility to a single full-capacity shift.
  • About 3,200 workers in Lexington, Nebraska, and roughly 1,700 in Amarillo will be affected, with assistance offered for transfers and relocation.
  • The move follows U.S. cattle inventories falling to their lowest levels in nearly 75 years, increasing livestock costs and contributing to record beef prices.
  • Tyson plans to raise production at other facilities; Lexington could process about 5,000 cattle per day and Amarillo about 6,000 at capacity, according to industry estimates.
  • Nebraska officials condemned the impact on the local economy, as Tyson reported sizable beef-unit losses and forecast a $400 million to $600 million loss in fiscal 2026.