The planned closure of the plant has left dozens of Virginia chicken growers scrambling to find new buyers in a region with few other options.
Tyson alerted Virginia farmers by phone on March 13 and later by mail that it will shut its Glen Allen plant on May 12, according to three poultry farmers who supply the plant.
The USDA, which enforces the PSA, told Reuters it is "closely monitoring" Tyson's planned plant closure.
'WE'RE DONE'Under normal circumstances, Tyson supplies farmers with chicks, while farmers assume the costs of land and chicken houses.
On Monday, about 20 Tyson farmers and local government officials gathered in a fire station in Burkeville, Virginia, and raised concerns about Tyson's short timeline for closure of the plant, attendees said.