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Tyson Fresh Meats on Invest $47 Million in Lexington Beef Plant

Lexington, NE – March 17, 2015 – Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc. plans to invest $47 million on a new, expanded boxed beef warehouse as part of its commitment to the continued success of its Lexington plant, company officials told community leaders today.

The project, which will begin this spring, will involve construction of a 50,000 square foot warehouse on the southeast corner of the existing beef complex. Currently expected to be completed in mid-2016, it will improve the flow, efficiency and capacity of the plant’s boxed beef storage and distribution systems. It is not expected to add jobs to the plant, which employs more than 2,700 people and generates an annual payroll of $86 million.

“We’re reinvesting in our Lexington plant because it’s an important part of our beef business and we want to make sure it continues to operate successfully,” said Steve Stouffer, president of Tyson Fresh Meats.

“We appreciate the support we’ve received from our Team Members, area cattle producers and the Lexington community since the plant opened almost 25 years ago, and we want them to know we expect our facility to remain a major contributor to the local economy for many more years.”

The Lexington beef complex, which has been in operation since 1990, produces commodity cuts of fresh beef such as ribs, loins, chucks and rounds, as well as various ground beef products. These products are vacuum-packed and boxed for sale to retail and foodservice customers throughout the U.S. as well internationally. The company spent more than $2.2 billion in fiscal 2014 to buy cattle to supply the plant.

Tyson Fresh Meats is the beef and pork unit of Tyson Foods, Inc., which employs almost 9,000 people in Nebraska. In addition to Lexington, the company also has facilities in Dakota City, Madison and Omaha.

About Tyson Foods, Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN), with headquarters in Springdale, Arkansas, is one of the world's largest producers of chicken, beef, pork and prepared foods that include leading brands such as Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Sara Lee® frozen bakery, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells® and State Fair®. The company was founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson, whose family has continued to lead the business with his son, Don Tyson, guiding the company for many years and grandson, John H. Tyson, serving as the current chairman of the board of directors. Tyson Foods provides a wide variety of protein-based and prepared foods products and is the recognized market leader in the retail and foodservice markets it serves, supplying customers throughout the United States and approximately 130 countries. It has approximately 124,000 Team Members employed at more than 400 facilities and offices in the United States and around the world. Through its Core Values, Code of Conduct and Team Member Bill of Rights, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity and trust and is committed to creating value for its shareholders, customers and Team Members. The company also strives to be faith-friendly, provide a safe work environment and serve as stewards of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it.

Contact: Gary Mickelson, 479-290-6111, gary.mickelson@tyson.com