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Tyson’s Illinois plant closure renews consolidation concerns

The president of the Illinois Farm Bureau says the closure of a Tyson beef processing facility in the western part of the state is another example of consolidation’s negative impact on agriculture.

Phillip Nelson, who farms in LaSalle County, says the Joslin facility was vital for producers across the region.

“It’s not only 2,500 employees, but where do we go?”  He says, “It’s gonna dramatically increase the cost to our producers in transportation, no matter where they reroute those cattle.”

Nelson says the lack of alternative processors means producers have little choice but to pay the added costs at a time when fuel prices are rising.

“You’ve got four fertilizer manufacturers, 80%. Four seed companies, 80%. Four meat packers, 85%.”  He says, “When that happens, you don’t have competition.”

He tells Brownfield, “We’ve got to really pay attention. Anytime we have a downturn in the ag economy, we see more consolidation.”

Nelson says he’s encouraged by recently announced federal investigations into consolidation in the fertilizer industry but suggests the efforts should be widened to other agricultural sectors.

Brownfield spoke with Nelson at the 2026 Illinois State Fair.

AUDIO: Phillip Nelson – Illinois Farm Bureau