On Friday, the cattle industry was told that a significant reduction in packing capacity will become a reality in early 2026 as Tyson will close their Lexington, Nebraska Beef Processing Plant and reduce from two shifts to a single shift in beef processing at their Amarillo, Texas plant.
In response, Michael Kelsey with the Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association has provided a statement from their leadership on Sunday: “The Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Association is disappointed to learn of Tyson Foods’ decision to close its Lexington, Nebraska beef processing plant, and to consolidate the Amarillo plant into one shift decreasing its daily capacity.. Any reduction in national processing capacity creates uncertainty throughout the beef supply chain.
“Despite this development, the long-term outlook for the beef cattle industry remains strong. Demand for high-quality beef continues to be robust and Oklahoma cattle producers remain committed to supplying consumers with safe, nutritious beef. OCA will continue monitoring the situation while supporting policy efforts that strengthen processing capacity and promote opportunities for cattle producers.”
