The short answer

Tyson Foods announced on August 13, 2026 that it is closing two beef plants, in Eagle Mountain, Utah and Joslin, Illinois, per a press release the company filed with the SEC. A notice Tyson filed with the Utah Department of Workforce Services lists 723 workers at Eagle Mountain, per KUTV and the Salt Lake Tribune. Tyson has not published a Joslin headcount; Illinois officials estimated about 2,500 union jobs there, per KCRG. The figures are plant closings, not a corporate round.

What happened

Tyson said in an August 13 press release, filed as an exhibit to an SEC Form 8-K, that it will center its beef business on three plants, in Dakota City, Nebraska, Holcomb, Kansas and Amarillo, Texas, end operations at the Joslin beef plant and the Eagle Mountain case-ready plant, and pursue the sale of its Pasco, Washington beef plant. An 8-K is a form a public company files with the SEC to report a big event.

In Joslin, KCRG reported that a letter told workers their job duties would end Thursday, August 13 or Friday, August 14. In Utah, the Salt Lake Tribune reported that Tyson filed its notice with the state on Thursday, August 13, and that workers were told the plant will close on or around October 12.

Who is affected

TableTyson's August 2026 beef plant changes, by site
Site Workers Source
Eagle Mountain, Utah (case-ready plant) 723 Utah WARN notice, per KUTV and the Salt Lake Tribune
Joslin, Illinois (beef plant) About 2,500 union workers Estimate from Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Eric Sorensen, per KCRG
Joslin, Illinois (contract sanitation) 103 Fortrex layoff, per American Bazaar
Pasco, Washington (beef plant) Not stated Tyson is pursuing a sale, per its press release

The Joslin number is reported differently by different sources. KCRG reported the Illinois officials' estimate of about 2,500 union workers, KWQC reported more than 2,500 workers, the UFCW told KCRG it represents over 2,000 workers at the plant, and American Bazaar reported that about 2,495 workers are affected. The Eagle Mountain plant cuts, weighs and packages beef and pork for grocery stores, per the Salt Lake Tribune.

When it takes effect

Joslin stopped work on August 13 and 14, per KCRG, and workers stay on the payroll through October 12, 2026, per the letter KCRG described. American Bazaar reported that Tyson's filing with the Illinois Department of Labor says harvesting stopped August 13 and processing ended August 14. Eagle Mountain is expected to close on or around October 12, per KSL and the Salt Lake Tribune.

A WARN notice is a written warning that federal law requires large employers to give 60 days before a plant closing. OurQuadCities reported that the Chicago law firm Strauss Borrelli is investigating whether Tyson gave the required 60 days' notice in Joslin, and no agency finding was reported.

What the company said

Tyson's press release said the changes respond to one of the most historic cattle shortages in US history, and it pointed to USDA data showing ranchers are keeping fewer female cattle for breeding, so the shortage is likely to last. KCRG reported that Tyson's third-quarter report showed a $138 million operating loss in its beef segment.

Severance and support

Tyson's press release said it will support affected team members, including help applying for open jobs at other Tyson plants. In Joslin, workers keep their pay through October 12 but lose health insurance, per KCRG and KWQC. Labor Notes, in a piece reprinted by Truthout, reported that an agreement UFCW Local 1546 signed four days after the announcement gives workers one to four weeks of severance based on years of service on top of the two months of pay. In Utah, FOX 13 reported that any severance was unknown as of its reporting. UFCW Local 1546 president Robert O'Toole told KCRG the union was "extremely disappointed in not receiving advance notice."

Earlier cuts at Tyson Foods

  • Lexington, Nebraska, January 2026: Tyson said on November 21, 2025 that it would close its Lexington beef plant, eliminating 3,200 jobs, per Talk Business & Politics. American Bazaar reported that Tyson planned to end the plant's operations around January 20, 2026.

Questions people ask

How many Tyson workers are losing their jobs in Utah?

A notice Tyson filed with the Utah Department of Workforce Services lists 723 workers at its Eagle Mountain case-ready plant, per KUTV and the Salt Lake Tribune. The plant is expected to close on or around October 12, 2026, per KSL.

How many people worked at the Tyson plant in Joslin, Illinois?

Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth and Rep. Eric Sorensen estimated about 2,500 union workers, per KCRG, the UFCW told KCRG it represents over 2,000 workers there, and American Bazaar reported about 2,495 affected workers.

Do laid-off Tyson workers get severance?

In Joslin, workers are paid through October 12, 2026 but lose health insurance, per KCRG and KWQC, and Labor Notes reported a union agreement adding one to four weeks of severance based on years of service. In Utah, FOX 13 reported that severance was unknown as of its reporting. Tyson's press release said it will help workers apply for open jobs at other plants.

Sources