Tyson Foods will temporarily continue beef processing at its Lexington, Nebraska plant, despite beginning the facility’s closure on January 20. The decision provides a short reprieve for about 9% of the site’s 3,200 employees, Reuters said.
In a recent notice to Nebraska officials, the company stated that approximately 292 workers would remain employed for periods ranging from 3 to 185 days to perform tasks related to the plant shutdown. Less than half of those employees will stay on beyond the end of the month.
“Limited further processing will continue at our Lexington facility during this transition period,” Tyson said in an emailed statement.
The plant closure reflects increased cost pressures on US beef processors, driven by a sharp contraction in cattle supply. US cattle inventories have fallen to their lowest level in nearly 75 years following prolonged droughts that decimated pastures and forced ranchers to reduce herd sizes.
