Tyson Foods to Shut Utah Plant, Cutting 723 Jobs Amid Cattle Shortage

Tyson Foods announced this week that it will close its case-ready meat plant in Eagle Mountain, Utah, affecting 723 workers, according to a filing with the Utah Department of Workforce Services. The shutdown is part of a broader restructuring effort prompted by a historic shortage of cattle across the United States.

"We’re concerned about making sure that they have all the resources available to make a transition easier," said Abby Ivory, Eagle Mountain’s economic development director, adding that the city is coordinating with state officials and Tyson to assist displaced employees.

Utah Commissioner of Food and Agriculture Kelly Pehrson linked the closure to broader agricultural challenges, citing drought, wildfires, a closed border and high feed costs as factors that have reduced the national herd. He noted that Tyson had invested $300 million in the plant and highlighted the state’s food-security grant program as a response to such supply-chain vulnerabilities.

Tyson said the decision also includes closing a facility in Illinois and seeking a buyer for a plant in Washington state. In a company statement, it pledged to help affected workers apply for open positions at other locations and emphasized its commitment to delivering affordable protein.

Local employees expressed personal concerns about the loss of income and the difficulty of finding new work. The plant, which opened in 2021, had become a significant employer in the area, and its closure is expected to have a notable impact on the community.