Tyson Foods sued, under USDA probe after plant closures.

Lawsuits, debt, and federal scrutiny: The fallout from Tyson's restructuring.

Dec. 19, 2024 The Midwest Center For Investigative Reporting

Did Tyson protect its bottom line at the expense of its contract farmers?

Last year, Tyson Foods closed at least 12 meatpacking plants across the country, part of a restructuring plan the company said would boost profits. But the closures hit poultry farmers hard, especially those who were millions in debt and relying on decades of work with local Tyson plants.

Since then, some of those farmers have sued Tyson, while officials with the USDA’s Packers and Stockyard Division have interviewed some of the former contract farmers as part of an investigation into the company.

This week, Investigate Midwest has two stories taking a closer look at both the lawsuit and investigation.

First, documents in a Missouri lawsuit against Tyson show the company coordinated closely with Cal-Maine Foods, the company that ended up buying one of Tyson’s closed plants, to prevent farmers from continuing their same operations with another Tyson competitor and seeking legal remedies.

In that same lawsuit, Tyson has also attempted to discourage farmers from speaking with federal officials and journalists.

“None of this is anything that we wanted. I didn’t ask for a year’s worth of not sleeping,” said Shawn Hinkle, one of the former Tyson farmers who has sued the company. “Then again, I’m not going to sit back and get screwed.”

In another story, Investigate Midwest’s John McCracken reports on the USDA’s denial of a request for records related to its Tyson investigation. The denial provided some clues about the scope of the investigation, which could be impacted by the incoming Trump administration.

— Ben Felder, editor in chief

USDA's probe into Tyson Foods has collected thousands of documents. Would Trump end it?
By John McCracken, Investigate Midwest

The USDA’s ongoing investigation into Tyson Foods has collected nearly 18,000 documents, yet its future could be uncertain under a new Trump administration. The inquiry, tied to allegations of antitrust violations after Tyson closed several meatpacking plants, has already left farmers with mounting debt and limited options. Experts warn that Trump’s track record of deregulation could halt or dismiss the investigation, potentially undermining efforts to hold corporations accountable.

**GRAPHIC: Bayer, Corteva control vast majority of GMO seed patents** By Sky Chadde, Investigate Midwest

Our latest Graphic of the Week dives into a staggering reality: just two companies control nearly 80% of genetically modified seed patents in the United States.

Why does this matter?

These patents controlled by Bayer and Corteva Agrisciences directly affect the availability, cost, and innovation of seeds used to grow America’s most essential crops, like corn and soybeans, according to the USDA. With President Biden's administration proposing a framework to foster competition, and the uncertainty of how a Trump administration might approach these issues, the stakes are high for the future of American agriculture.

View the graphic here.

Tyson Foods is trying to silence contract farmers' legal fight.
By Egan Ward, Watchdog Writers Group/Investigate Midwest

After Tyson Foods abruptly closed its Dexter, Missouri plant, poultry farmers were left with millions in debt and limited options. Now, a class action lawsuit reveals alleged secret agreements, contract violations, and efforts to suppress competition.

Our investigation examines how Tyson’s actions affected farmers and potentially reshaped the local poultry market, sparking a legal battle over contracts and competition.