U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says announcements are coming involving closed Tyson beef processing plants as the Trump administration works to increase competition in the meatpacking industry.
Rollins made the remarks Thursday during a press call primarily focused on federal investments in domestic fertilizer production.
“But even in beef processing, I don’t think I’ve said this publicly yet, but with some big announcements that are coming, including the shifting of some of the closed Tyson plants and others, we’re actually going to trend back toward less consolidation and more competition in the beef processing market,” Rollins said.
Rollins did not identify which Tyson facilities could be involved or provide details about the anticipated announcements.
Her comments come nine months after Tyson Foods permanently closed its beef processing plant in Lexington, Nebraska, on Jan. 20, 2026, eliminating more than 3,200 jobs.
A University of Nebraska economic analysis estimated the closure would result in approximately $3.28 billion in annual economic losses across the state, including direct losses and broader economic ripple effects.
Tyson also reduced operations at its Amarillo, Texas, beef processing facility to a single shift as part of its restructuring.
Rollins did not specifically mention the Lexington facility or indicate whether any closed plants could reopen.
She suggested the administration’s efforts could bring a significant shift in the competitive landscape of the beef processing industry.
“I don’t have the numbers in front of me, but certainly for the first time in decades,” Rollins said, referring to the prospect of reduced consolidation and increased competition.
Rollins also said federal investigations into competition and pricing practices across agricultural industries remain ongoing, including in beef processing, fertilizer and seed.
She identified the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission as partners in those efforts.
The comments came as the administration announced new investments intended to expand domestic fertilizer production.
Vice President JD Vance announced eight projects Thursday in Nebraska through USDA’s Fertilizer Investments and Expansion for Long-Term Domestic Supply program.
According to Rollins, the selected projects represent more than $1.34 billion in total proposed investment across 22 manufacturing locations in 16 states.
USDA estimates the projects, once operational, could add more than one million tons of annual domestic fertilizer production capacity, including a 40% increase in domestic potash production.
Rollins said the investments are intended to reduce reliance on foreign fertilizer suppliers and eventually lower input costs for American farmers.