OCA raises concerns following Tyson beef plant closure

The Ohio Cattlemen’s Association (OCA) is raising concerns about the impact Tyson Foods’ planned closure of its Joslin, Illinois, beef processing facility could have on cattle producers in Ohio and across the Eastern Corn Belt.

Tyson Foods announced Aug. 13 that it will end operations at the Joslin facility as part of a broader restructuring of its beef business. The company cited historically low U.S. cattle supplies and continued limited heifer retention as factors behind the changes.

Tyson plans to anchor its beef business around facilities in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas. The company will also close its Eagle Mountain, Utah, case-ready facility and is pursuing the sale of its Pasco, Washington, beef facility.

According to Tyson, cattle harvest capacity from the affected locations will be shifted to other facilities, allowing the company to maintain a similar level of cattle harvesting across its network.

For Ohio cattle producers, however, the loss of the Joslin facility means one fewer regional market for finished cattle. The announcement follows the planned closure of the JBS beef processing facility in Souderton, Pennsylvania. Together, the Joslin and Souderton facilities represent approximately 5,000 head of daily cattle harvest capacity.

“OCA is deeply disappointed by this announcement and concerned about what it means for Ohio’s cattle producers and the future of our region’s cattle industry,” said Lindsey Hall, OCA president.

Hall said both facilities have served as important market outlets for cattle producers in Ohio and throughout the Eastern Corn Belt.

“The loss of this processing capacity will create significant challenges for producers who have relied on these facilities to market their cattle,” Hall said. “Fewer regional marketing options can mean longer transportation distances, increased costs and greater uncertainty for producers at a time when our industry should be focused on encouraging investment and rebuilding the nation’s cattle herd.”

The U.S. cattle herd remains at historically low levels, leaving the beef industry with more processing capacity than current cattle supplies can support. OCA acknowledged those economic challenges but said maintaining competitive and accessible markets will also be important as producers consider whether to retain heifers and expand their herds.

“Rebuilding the cattle herd requires producers to have confidence that competitive and accessible markets will be there when they make the long-term investments necessary to grow their operations,” Hall said. “That is why the loss of another major processing facility serving our region is especially concerning. Once that processing capacity is lost, it can be difficult to replace.”

OCA is encouraging Tyson Foods to work with affected cattle producers, employees and industry partners to identify alternative marketing opportunities and explore options that could preserve the Joslin facility’s processing capacity, including a potential sale to a qualified buyer.

“Ohio cattle producers are resilient and committed to the future of our industry,” Hall said. “OCA will continue working on behalf of our members to protect market access, promote competition and ensure Ohio cattle producers have the opportunity to grow and prosper.”