sdenness / Depositphotos.com
A sudden Tyson Foods beef plant closure in Illinois is creating uncertainty for cattle producers across the Midwest. Tyson closed its beef processing facility in Joslin, Illinois, eliminating roughly 3,000 head of daily cattle slaughter capacity. The shutdown leaves cattle feeders searching for alternative processing options and could increase transportation distances for livestock that otherwise would have been marketed through the Illinois facility.
The closure comes during an unusual period for the U.S. cattle industry. Cattle supplies remain historically tight following years of drought, elevated feed expenses and herd liquidation. Those smaller supplies have contributed to historically strong cattle prices and high beef costs. Reduced processing capacity, however, can weaken competition among meatpackers for available cattle in affected regions.
Farm Progress reports producers are now evaluating other plants and marketing alternatives. The impact will depend partly on how quickly competing processors can absorb cattle previously scheduled for slaughter at the Joslin facility.
NAFB news service
Comments