“People were yelling, people were crying”: Major beef producer abruptly closes Illinois plant, leaving 2,500 without jobs

Tyson Foods has abruptly shut down one of its major beef processing plants in Illinois, eliminating thousands of jobs as the meat giant restructures its beef business amid a historic cattle shortage. The closure is expected to have an impact well beyond the plant itself, with local cattle producers and businesses also facing uncertainty.

Joslin plant closes immediately

Tyson announced August 13 that it would end operations at its beef facility in Joslin, Illinois, in Rock Island County. Workers were reportedly given letters confirming the permanent closure when they arrived for their shifts, catching many employees and community members off guard. 

Workers describe chaotic scene 

The sudden announcement reportedly triggered an emotional and chaotic scene inside the plant. One worker who spoke with KWQC anonymously said, “People started fighting, people were yelling, people were crying,” as employees learned they were losing their jobs. She said some workers had been at the plant for more than 30 years, while others had only started days earlier.

Another longtime employee, Rita Newton, said the loss of health insurance was an immediate concern, particularly because she relies on medication. She described the closure as devastating and said workers had known contract negotiations were stalled but did not believe the plant would permanently shut down.

Tyson cites historic cattle shortage

Tyson said the closure is part of a broader restructuring designed to create a more competitive beef-processing network as the United States faces one of its most severe cattle shortages in decades.

U.S. cattle inventories have fallen to their lowest level in roughly 75 years, increasing competition among meat processors for available cattle. Tyson’s beef business has been particularly affected by rising cattle costs and declining processing volumes. 

Production moves to other plants

Tyson plans to shift capacity from Joslin and its other affected facilities to beef operations in Dakota City, Nebraska; Holcomb, Kansas; and Amarillo, Texas. The company said it expects to increase operations in Amarillo as cattle supplies improve.

Tyson is also ending operations at a case-ready beef facility in Eagle Mountain, Utah, while pursuing the sale of its beef plant in Pasco, Washington.

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