Tyson Foods announces closure of beef-processing plant in Lexington

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Tyson Foods announced the closure of its beef-processing plant in Lexington, Nebraska.

In a press release on Friday, the food company said it will also convert its Amarillo, Texas, beef facility to a single, fill-capacity shift.

“Tyson Foods recognizes the impact these decisions have on team members and the communities where we operate,” the company said in the press release. “The company is committed to supporting our team members through this transition, including helping them apply for open positions at other facilities and providing relocation benefits.”

Lexington is home to around 11,000 people, and the processing plant currently employs around 3,000 workers.

U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer blasted Tyson’s decision to close the processing plant, saying it will have “a devastating impact on a truly wonderful community.”

“I am extremely disappointed by this news from Tyson today. As the single largest employer in Lexington, Tyson’s announcement will have a devastating impact on a truly wonderful community, the region, and our state. Nebraskans are nothing if not resilient, and Lexington has a robust workforce. I hope their skill and experience will be sought after by other employers.

Nebraska is the beef state, and we know better than anyone the highs and lows of the cattle market. It’s no secret that just a few years ago, packers like Tyson were making windfall profits while the rest of the industry was continuously in the red.

As we head into the holiday season, I call on Tyson to do everything in its power to take care of the families affected by this short-sighted decision.”

U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts also released a statement:

“I will do everything I can to support the Nebraskans who are impacted by this decision. We must help them stay in our state and find work close to home. This news is especially heartbreaking around the holidays. I ask for Nebraskans to keep the community of Lexington in their prayers.”

Gov. Jim Pillen said the state of Nebraska will do what it can to help employees affected by this change.

“Nebraska’s cattle industry is resilient and the envy of the world. And our workforce can outwork anybody. Big picture – our excellent cattlemen and cattle feeders have emerging opportunities and will still have the Tyson market to sell into as its planned re-organization will boost capacity and jobs at other Nebraska plants. Tyson leadership has also promised to continue to work on future value-added opportunities here in the state. The state of Nebraska is ready to build for the future and do what it can do to support employees affected by this change.”

Congressman Adrian Smith called the closure a “disappointing loss for Lexington.”

“Today’s announcement by Tyson Foods is a disappointing loss for Lexington, Dawson County, the region, and the cattle industry as a whole.  Nebraska’s hard-working cattle producers are innovative and highly efficient as they work to provide high quality beef for consumers.  As the Lexington community and Nebraska agriculture respond to this announcement I welcome input from producers and stand ready to assist as we all move forward.”

Nebraska Cattlemen also released a statement, saying the closure will have a profound impact on the Lexington community.

“We are disappointed by Tyson’s decision to permanently close the Lexington beef processing facility – especially in light of today’s USDA data indicating that Nebraska cattle-on-feed inventories remain slightly above year-ago levels in spite of the ongoing cyclical tightness in overall U.S. cattle numbers. We firmly believe there isn’t a better place to efficiently and economically raise cattle and produce beef than Nebraska. As this will have a profound impact on the community of Lexington and many cattle producers, we hope the plant will continue operations under new ownership.”

Congressman Mike Flood also condemned the closure.

“This is devastating news for our beef producers, for Lexington, and the whole State of Nebraska. Ranchers have dutifully raised cattle even when times were hard. Now, they are being abandoned. After Tyson closed their Norfolk plant in 2006, they stripped the plant bare so it couldn’t be used as a beef processing facility. That plant still sits empty today. As they wind down their Lexington plant, Tyson needs to preserve it, so it can remain a beef processing operation and keep good-paying jobs in Dawson County that support our ag communities. No matter what, I know that Nebraskans will work together to pull through this.”

Tyson did not say when the processing plant will officially close.