Live cattle futures fell to limit down on Nov. 21, 2025, after Tyson Foods announced the permanent closure of its Lexington, Nebraska, beef plant, a 5,000‑head‑per‑day facility with national supply ramifications. The Tyson Foods beef plant in Lexington officially closed Jan. 20, 2026. Live cattle futures later recovered in 2026, but analysts cite lost processing capacity and a national beef supply shortage as U.S. cattle inventories hit 86.7 million head, the smallest since 1951. The shutdown cuts 3,200 direct jobs, with more than 7,000 losses projected statewide as local services, schools, and retailers absorb ripple effects. Producers face higher hauling costs, transport weight loss, and fewer buyers, while herd rebuilding is seen as unlikely before 2027, with balanced markets pushed to 2028 or later.