TYSON FOODS INC
10-Q, 2000-08-11
POULTRY SLAUGHTERING AND PROCESSING
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<PAGE>
                               UNITED STATES
                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                          Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 FORM 10-Q

(X)  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the quarterly period ended July 1, 2000

     OR

( )  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

     For the transition period from _________________to_________________

     Commission File Number 0-3400


                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 Delaware                          71-0225165
     (State or other jurisdiction of  (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
      incorporation or organization)

         2210 West Oaklawn Drive, Springdale, Arkansas 72762-6999
           (Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

                              (501) 290-4000
           (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate  by  check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed  all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange  Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject  to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

          Yes   X         No
               ---            ---

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class                                        Outstanding July 29, 2000
------------------------------------         -------------------------
Class A Common Stock, $.10 Par Value          122,476,177 Shares
Class B Common Stock, $.10 Par Value          102,645,273 Shares








                                  Page 1
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                                   INDEX

                                                                      PAGE
                                                                      ----
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1.  Financial Statements

          Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
          July 1, 2000 and October 2, 1999                               3

          Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income
          for the Three Months and Nine Months Ended
          July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999                                  4

          Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows
          for the Nine Months Ended
          July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999                                  5

          Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements         6-9

     Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
              Condition and Results of Operations                    10-14

     Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About
              Market Risks                                              14

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                      15-16

     Item 2.  Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds                 16

     Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities                           16

     Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders       16

     Item 5.  Other Information                                         16

     Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                          16

     EXHIBIT INDEX                                                      17

     SIGNATURES                                                         18













                                     2
<PAGE>
                       PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.  Financial Statements
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                   CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                  (In millions except per share amounts)
                                               (Unaudited)
                                                 July 1,     October 2,
                                                   2000         1999
ASSETS                                           ________     _________
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                      $   22.9     $   30.3
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance
      for doubtful accounts                         543.0        602.5
  Inventories                                     1,014.4        989.4
  Assets held for sale                                1.9         74.5
  Other current assets                               14.2         30.2
                                                  _______      _______
Total Current Assets                              1,596.4      1,726.9
Net Property, Plant, and Equipment                2,150.4      2,184.5
Excess of Investments over Net Assets Acquired      944.4        962.5
Investments and Other Assets                        206.6        208.8
                                                 ________     ________
Total Assets                                     $4,897.8     $5,082.7
                                                 ========     ========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Notes payable                                  $   26.4     $   65.9
  Current portion of long-term debt                 122.7        222.7
  Trade accounts payable                            320.1        351.9
  Other accrued liabilities                         319.1        346.5
                                                  _______      _______
Total Current Liabilities                           788.3        987.0
Long-Term Debt                                    1,459.3      1,515.2
Deferred Income Taxes                               430.6        398.0
Other Liabilities                                    50.2         54.5
Shareholders' Equity:
  Common stock ($.10 par value):
   Class A-Authorized 900 million shares;
     issued 137.9 million shares at
     7-1-00 and 10-2-99                              13.8         13.8
   Class B-Authorized 900 million shares;
     issued 102.7 million shares at
     7-1-00 and 10-2-99                              10.3         10.3
  Capital in excess of par value                    734.7        740.0
  Retained earnings                               1,706.2      1,599.0
  Other accumulated comprehensive income(loss)       (6.4)        (1.5)
                                                  _______      _______
                                                  2,458.6      2,361.6
  Less treasury stock, at cost-
    15.2 million shares at 7-1-00 and
    12.0 million shares at 10-2-99                  276.9        232.0
  Less unamortized deferred compensation             12.3          1.6
                                                 ________     ________
Total Shareholders' Equity                        2,169.4      2,128.0
                                                 ________     ________
Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity       $4,897.8     $5,082.7
                                                 ========     ========
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.
                                     3
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
                CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (In millions except per share data)
                                (Unaudited)

                                 Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                                 __________________      _________________

                                 July 1,    July 3,     July 1,    July 3,
                                  2000       1999        2000       1999
                                 _______    _______     _______    _______

Sales                           $1,807.1    $1,881.3   $5,376.6   $5,547.3
Cost of Sales                    1,538.3     1,531.1    4,497.4    4,569.6
                                 -------     -------    -------    -------
Gross Profit                       268.8       350.2      879.2      977.7
Expenses:
  Selling                          138.9       150.2      425.8      441.9
  General and administrative        33.7        34.2      125.9       99.9
  Loss on sale of seafood assets     -          16.6        -         16.6
  Amortization                       8.4         9.2       25.5       26.7
                                  -------    -------    -------    -------
Operating Income                    87.8       140.0      302.0      392.6
Other Expense (Income):
  Interest                          28.8        30.5       87.3       93.7
  Foreign currency exchange          1.8        (0.5)       1.6       (4.5)
  Other                              2.8        (2.2)       5.5       (4.9)
                                  -------    -------    -------    -------
Income Before Taxes and
   Minority Interest                54.4       112.2      207.6      308.3
Provision for Income Taxes          19.6        40.7       74.2      110.5
Minority Interest                   (5.7)        3.1        0.2        9.0
                                  -------    -------    -------    -------
Net Income                      $   40.5    $   68.4  $   133.2   $  188.8
                                  =======    =======    =======    =======
Basic Average Shares Outstanding    224.6      229.5      226.1      230.3
                                    =====      =====      =====      =====
Basic Earnings Per Share            $0.18      $0.30      $0.59      $0.82
                                    =====      =====      =====      =====
Diluted Average Shares Outstanding  225.0      230.7      226.4      231.5
                                    =====      =====      =====      =====
Diluted Earnings Per Share          $0.18      $0.30      $0.59      $0.82
                                    =====      =====      =====      =====
Cash Dividends Per Share:

  Class A                         $0.0400    $0.0250    $0.1200    $0.0750
  Class B                         $0.0360    $0.0225    $0.1080    $0.0675









The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                     4
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
              CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                               (In millions)
                                (Unaudited)
                                                      Nine Months Ended
                                                      _________________

                                                    July 1,      July 3,
                                                     2000         1999
                                                    _______      _______
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
  Net income                                       $  133.2      $ 188.8
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash
   provided by operating activities:
    Depreciation                                      192.1        191.7
    Amortization                                       25.5         26.7
    Loss on sale of seafood assets                                    16.6
    Foreign currency exchange                           1.6         (4.5)
    Minority interest                                   0.2          9.0
    Deferred income taxes                              32.6        (76.2)
    Loss(Gain) on dispositions of assets               3.4          (0.3)
    Decrease(increase) in accounts receivable, net     59.5         (1.8)
    Decrease(Increase) in inventories                  34.7        (74.4)
    (Decrease)Increase in trade accounts payable      (33.7)        43.2
    Net change in other current assets
       and liabilities                                (10.9)       160.0
                                                      _____       ______
Cash Provided by Operating Activities                 438.2        478.8
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
  Additions to property, plant and equipment         (141.3)      (279.8)
  Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment   3.0         60.0
  Net change in other assets and liabilities          (21.2)       (25.8)
                                                      _____       ______
Cash Used for Investing Activities                   (159.5)      (245.6)
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
  Net change in notes payable                         (39.5)        (2.4)
  Additions to long-term debt                          20.3         73.5
  Repayments of long-term debt                       (177.8)      (250.9)
  Purchases of treasury shares                        (62.4)       (34.8)
  Other                                               (24.9)       (11.6)
                                                      _____       ______
Cash Used for Financing Activities                   (284.3)      (266.2)
Effect of Exchange Rate Change on Cash                 (1.8)         1.5
                                                      _____       ______
(Decrease)Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents        (7.4)         8.5
Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period       30.3         46.5
                                                     ______       ______
Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period          $  22.9      $  55.0
                                                     ======       ======
Supplemental Cash Flow Information
  Cash paid during the period for:
    Interest                                          $55.1        $94.0
    Income taxes                                      $47.0        $67.1



The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                     5
<PAGE>
                             TYSON FOODS, INC.
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                (Unaudited)


Note 1:   Accounting Policies

The consolidated condensed financial statements have been prepared by Tyson
Foods,  Inc.  (the  "Company"), without audit, pursuant to  the  rules  and
regulations  of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information
and  accounting  policies  and footnote disclosures  normally  included  in
financial  statements  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted
accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules
and  regulations. Although the management of the Company believes that  the
disclosures  are adequate to make the information presented not misleading,
these  consolidated  condensed  financial  statements  should  be  read  in
conjunction  with the consolidated financial statements and  notes  thereto
included  in the Company's latest annual report for the fiscal  year  ended
October  2,  1999.  The  preparation  of consolidated  condensed  financial
statements  requires management to make estimates and  assumptions.   These
estimates  and  assumptions  affect the  reported  amounts  of  assets  and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date
of  the  consolidated  financial statements and  the  reported  amounts  of
revenues  and  expenses during the reporting period. Actual  results  could
differ  from  those  estimates. In the opinion of  the  management  of  the
Company,  the  accompanying  consolidated  condensed  financial  statements
contain  all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals necessary
to  present   fairly  the financial position  as  of   July  1,  2000   and
October 2, 1999 and the results of operations for the three months and nine
months  ended  July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999 and cash flows  for  the  nine
months  ended July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999. The results of operations  for
the  three months and nine months ended and cash flows for the nine  months
ended  July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999 are not necessarily indicative of  the
results to be expected for the full year.

In  June  1998,  the Financial Accounting Standards Board  ("FASB")  issued
Statement  No.  133 ("FAS No. 133"), Accounting for Derivative  Instruments
and  Hedging  Activities, as amended by FAS No. 138 in June  2000.  In  May
1999,  the  FASB voted to delay the effective date of FAS No.  133  by  one
year.  The  Company  will be required to adopt FAS No.  133  in  the  first
quarter  of  fiscal  year 2001. This statement establishes  accounting  and
reporting  standards,  which requires that all  derivative  instruments  be
recorded  on  the  balance  sheet  at  fair  value.  This  statement   also
establishes  "special accounting" for fair value hedges, cash flow  hedges,
and  hedges  of  foreign currency exposures of net investments  in  foreign
operations.  The Company has determined the business processes  related  to
hedging   activities  mainly  consist  of  grain  procurement  and  certain
financing  activities.  Management has not completed its  determination  of
the impact of the adoption of this new accounting standard on its financial
position and results of operations.

The   Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  the  fiscal year
ended  October  2, 1999, reflect the significant accounting policies,  debt
provisions,  borrowing  arrangements, dividend restrictions,  contingencies
and  commitments  of the Company. There were no material  changes  in  such
items  during  the nine months ended July 1, 2000, except as  disclosed  in
these notes.

                                     6
<PAGE>
Note 2:   Earnings Per Share

The  following  table  sets  forth the computation  of  basic  and  diluted
earnings per share for the three and nine months ended:

                                    (In millions except per share amounts)
                                    Three Months Ended   Nine Months Ended

                                     July 1,   July 3,   July 1,   July 3,
                                      2000      1999      2000      1999
                                     -------   -------   ------    -------
Numerator:   Net Income               $40.5     $68.4     $133.2    $188.8
                                      =====     =====     =====     ======
Denominator:
   Denominator for basic
     earnings per share-
     weighted average shares          224.6     229.5     226.1      230.3

   Effect of dilutive securities:
     Employee stock options              -        1.2        -         1.2
     Restricted stock                   0.4        -        0.3         -
                                      -----     -----     -----      -----
   Denominator for diluted
      earnings per share-
      adjusted weighted average
      shares and assumed conversions  225.0     230.7     226.4      231.5
                                      =====     =====     =====      =====
Basic earnings per share              $0.18     $0.30     $0.59      $0.82
                                      =====     =====     =====      =====
Diluted earnings per share            $0.18     $0.30     $0.59      $0.82
                                      =====     =====     =====      =====

The  Company had approximately 7 million option shares outstanding at  July
1,  2000,  that  were  not  included in the  dilutive  earnings  per  share
calculation because they would have been antidilutive.

On May 4, 2000 approximately 4.3 million stock option shares were cancelled
and  exchanged  for approximately 1 million restricted shares  of  Class  A
common  stock.   The restriction expires over periods through  December  1,
2003.  The unamortized portion of the restricted stock is classified on the
Consolidated  Balance  Sheets  as  unamortized  deferred  compensation   in
shareholders' equity and charged to operations over the vesting period.

Note 3:   Inventories

Inventories, valued at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out)  or  market,
consist of the following:
                                                (In millions)
                                          July 1,        October 2,
                                           2000             1999
                                          -------        ----------
     Finished and work-in-process        $  517.8           $549.2
     Live poultry and hogs                  354.7            290.8
     Hatchery eggs and feed                  65.2             67.4
     Supplies                                76.7             82.0
                                         ________           ______
     Total                               $1,014.4           $989.4
                                         ========           ======
                                     7
<PAGE>
Note 4:   Assets held for sale

On  September 28, 1999, the Company signed a letter of intent to  sell  its
wholly-owned subsidiary, The Pork Group, Inc. ("Pork Group") to  Smithfield
Foods,  Inc.  ("Smithfield"). As a result, the Pork  Group's  swine  assets
valued  at approximately $70 million were included in assets held for  sale
at October 2, 1999.  On December 6, 1999, the Company and Smithfield ceased
negotiations  for  the  sale of the Pork Group.  Therefore,  in  the  first
quarter of fiscal 2000, the swine assets were reclassified to inventory and
net  property,  plant and equipment.  The Company has no plan  to  actively
market the Pork Group and/or its assets at this time. The balance of assets
held for sale at July 1, 2000, relates to facilities identified for closing
under the Company's restructuring program which are expected to be disposed
of within the next twelve months.


Note 5:   Segments

The  Company  is a fully integrated producer, processor and marketer  of  a
variety  of  food products. The Company identifies segments  based  on  the
products offered and the nature of customers which results in four reported
business  segments:  Food  Service, Consumer  Products,  International  and
Swine.   Food  Service  includes fresh, frozen and  value-enhanced  poultry
products sold through foodservice and specialty distributors who deliver to
restaurants,  schools and other accounts. Consumer Products include  fresh,
frozen and value-enhanced poultry products sold through retail markets  for
at-home  consumption and through wholesale club markets targeted  to  small
foodservice  operators,  individuals and  small  businesses.  International
markets  and  sells the full line of Tyson chicken products throughout  the
world.  Swine  includes  feeder pig finishing and  marketing  of  swine  to
regional  and national packers. The Company's seafood business,  which  was
sold  on  July  17, 1999, is also listed as a business segment  for  fiscal
1999.  The  majority of revenue included in the Other category  is  derived
from  the  Company's  Specialty Products and  Prepared  Foods  groups,  the
Company's wholly-owned subsidiaries involved in supplying poultry  breeding
stock  and  trading agricultural goods worldwide, as well as the  Company's
turkey  and egg products facilities which were sold on December  31,  1998.
Sales  between reportable segments are recorded at cost.  Total assets  for
each segment at July 1, 2000 approximate those at October 2, 1999.

Net Sales by operating segment were as follows:  (in millions)

                              Three Months Ended        Nine Months Ended
                             July 1,      July 3,      July 1,     July 3,
                              2000         1999         2000        1999
                             _______      _______      _______     _______

Food Service                $  836.8     $  872.4     $2,474.7     $2,510.4
Consumer Products              580.0        583.6      1,680.4      1,682.1
International                  141.9        157.3        500.6        475.4
Swine                           47.9         33.0        118.3         79.3
Seafood                           -          45.3           -         183.4
Other                          200.5        189.7        602.6        616.7
                            ________     ________      _______      _______

Total Net Sales             $1,807.1     $1,881.3     $5,376.6     $5,547.3
                            ========     ========     ========     ========

                                     8
<PAGE>

The  Company measures segment profit as gross profit less selling expenses.
Segment  profit and a reconciliation to income before taxes  and  minority
interest are as follows:  (in millions)


                               Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                              July 1,      July 3,     July 1,     July 3,
                               2000         1999        2000        1999
                              _______      _______     _______     _______

Food Service                  $ 48.9       $ 80.2       $168.4      $244.4
Consumer Products               31.7         63.7        124.1       188.8
International                   (1.0)        24.1         43.1        42.4
Swine                            9.6        (16.7)        15.1       (51.5)
Seafood                           -           3.2           -         21.9
Other                           40.7         45.5        102.7        89.8
                               _____        _____        _____       _____

Total Gross Profit
  less Selling Expense        $129.9       $200.0       $453.4      $535.8

Other Operating Expenses        42.1         60.0        151.4       143.2

Other Expense                   33.4         27.8         94.4        84.3
                               _____        _____        _____       _____
Income Before Taxes
  and Minority Interest       $ 54.4       $112.2       $207.6      $308.3
                              ======       ======       ======      ======


Note 6:   Comprehensive Income

The  only  difference  between total comprehensive income  and  net  income
reported  on  the Consolidated Condensed Statements of Income  arises  from
foreign currency translation adjustment.  The Company's total comprehensive
income  for the three months ended July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999 was  $37.3
million  and $66.1 million, respectively. The Company's total comprehensive
income  for the nine months ended July 1, 2000 and July 3, 1999 was  $128.3
million and $185.7 million, respectively.


Note 7:   Bad Debt Reserve

On  January 31, 2000, AmeriServe Food Distribution, Inc. ("AmeriServe"),  a
significant  distributor  of  products  to  fast  food  and  casual  dining
restaurant chains, filed for reorganization in Delaware under Chapter 11 of
the  federal  Bankruptcy  Code.   Tyson is  a  major  supplier  to  several
AmeriServe  customers.   All current sales to these  customers  are  either
direct  billed or made through another distributor. The Company recorded  a
$24.2  million  bad debt reserve in the second quarter of fiscal  2000,  to
fully  reserve  the AmeriServe receivable. At July 1, 2000 and  October  2,
1999,  allowance for doubtful accounts was $46.1 million and $21.8 million,
respectively.




                                     9
<PAGE>
Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
          and Results of Operations

FINANCIAL CONDITION

For the nine months ended July 1, 2000 net cash totaling $438.2 million was
provided  by  operating activities. Operations provided $388.6  million  in
cash  and  $49.6  million  was  provided by  net  changes  in  receivables,
inventories,  payables  and  other  items.  The  Company  used  cash   from
operations  to  fund  $141.3  million  of  property,  plant  and  equipment
additions, to pay down debt by $197 million and to repurchase $62.4 million
of  the Company's Class A common stock in the open market. The expenditures
for  property, plant and equipment were related to acquiring new  equipment
and  upgrading  facilities  in order to maintain competitive  standing  and
position the Company for future opportunities.

At  July  1,  2000, working capital was $808.1 million compared  to  $739.9
million at 1999 fiscal year-end, an increase of $68.2 million.  The current
ratio  at July 1, 2000 was 2 to 1 compared to 1.7 to 1 at October 2,  1999.
Working  capital has increased since year-end primarily due to an  increase
in inventories and decreases in notes payable, current portion of long-term
debt, trade payables and other accrued liabilities. Net accounts receivable
has   decreased   since  year-end  mainly  due  to  the   AmeriServe   Food
Distribution, Inc. ("AmeriServe") reserve and improved collections.   Total
debt,  including  current portion of long-term debt,  has  decreased  10.8%
since   year-end.   At  July  1,  2000,  total  debt  was  42.6%  of  total
capitalization  compared  to  45.9%  at  October  2,  1999.  The  Company's
foreseeable  cash  needs  for  operations  and  capital  expenditures  will
continue  to  be  met  through cash flows from  operations  and  borrowings
supported  by  existing  credit facilities as  well  as  additional  credit
facilities which the Company believes are available.

The Company has an unsecured revolving credit agreement totaling $1 billion
which  supports  the Company's commercial paper program.  This  $1  billion
facility expires in May 2002. At July 1, 2000, $303.5 million in commercial
paper   was   outstanding  under  this  $1  billion  facility.   Additional
outstanding long-term debt at July 1, 2000 consisted of $830.9  million  of
public  debt,  $107.3  million of institutional notes,  $141.8  million  in
leveraged  equipment  loans and $75.8 million of  other  indebtedness.  The
Company  may  use  funds  borrowed under its revolving  credit  facilities,
commercial  paper  program  or  through the  issuance  of  additional  debt
securities  from  time to  time in  the future to  finance  acquisitions as
opportunities may arise, to refinance other indebtedness or capital  leases
of the Company and for other general corporate purposes.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Sales  for  the third quarter of fiscal 2000 decreased 3.9% from  the  same
period  of  fiscal 1999. This decrease is mainly due to  the  sale  of  the
seafood  group  on  July  17, 1999.  Comparable sales,  which  exclude  the
Company's  seafood  business  sold in the  fourth  quarter  of  last  year,
decreased  1.6%  on  a volume decrease of 2.3%. Third  quarter  sales  were
negatively  impacted  by  a weak domestic market for  poultry  and  reduced
volume  by the Company's Mexican subsidiary.  In response to the oversupply
of  chicken, the Company has continued its 3% cut in the number of chickens
produced.

                                    10
<PAGE>
Food Service third quarter sales decreased 4.1% compared to the same period
last  year,  with a 2.4% decrease in volume and a 1.7% decrease in  average
sales  prices.  Segment  profit,  defined  as  gross  profit  less  selling
expenses,  for  Food Service decreased $31.3 million from the  same  period
last  year  due  primarily to low market prices which more than  offset  an
improved product mix, and higher grain costs.

Consumer  Products third quarter sales decreased 0.6% over the same  period
last  year,  with a 0.5% decrease in volume and a 0.2% decrease in  average
sales  prices. Segment profit for Consumer Products decreased  $32  million
from  the  same period last year due primarily to low market  prices  which
more than offset an improved product mix, and higher grain costs.

International third quarter sales decreased 9.8% over the same period  last
year,  with an 11.1% decrease in volume offset slightly by a 1.5%  increase
in  average  sales  prices. International segment  profit  decreased  $25.1
million over the same period last year mostly due to losses incurred by the
Company's  Mexican  subsidiary  resulting  from  the  outbreak  of   Exotic
Newcastle  disease  and  substantial decreases  in  production  during  the
quarter.

Swine  third quarter sales increased 45.2% over the same period last  year,
with  a  54.5%  increase in average sales prices offset slightly  by  a  6%
decrease  in volume. Swine segment profit improved $26.3 million  over  the
same period last year due to the increase in average sales prices.

Other  third  quarter sales increased 5.7% from the same period  last  year
mostly  due  to  the  Company's poultry breeding  stock  subsidiary.  Other
segment profit decreased $4.8 million over the same period last year.

Cost  of goods sold increased 0.5% for the third quarter of fiscal 2000  as
compared  to  the same period last year.  As a percent of  sales,  cost  of
sales was 85.1% for the third quarter of fiscal 2000 compared to 81.4%  for
the  same period last year. The increase in cost of goods sold as a percent
of  sales  was  impacted by the weak domestic market and the  reduction  in
volume associated with the Company's ongoing production cut.

Operating  expenses decreased 13.9% for the third quarter  of  fiscal  2000
over the same period last year. Selling expense, as a percent of sales, was
7.7%  for the third quarter of fiscal 2000 and 8% for the third quarter  of
fiscal 1999. General and administrative expense, as a percent of sales, was
1.9% for the third quarter of fiscal 2000 and 1.8% in the third quarter  of
fiscal 1999. Amortization expense, as a percent of sales, was 0.5% for  the
third quarter of fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999.

Interest  expense  decreased  5.6% for the third  quarter  of  fiscal  2000
compared  to  the same period last year primarily as a result  of  a  17.2%
decrease  in  the Company's average indebtedness over the same period  last
year.   Although  the  overall weighted average  borrowing  rate  increased
slightly to 7.1% compared to 6.6%, interest expense decreased primarily  as
a  result  of paying off more expensive long-term debt with strong positive
cash flows.






                                    11
<PAGE>
The  effective income tax rate for the third quarter of fiscal 2000 was 36%
compared to 36.3% for the same period last year.

Sales  for  the  nine months of fiscal 2000 decreased 3.1%  from  the  same
period  of  fiscal 1999. This decrease is mainly due to  the  sale  of  the
seafood  group  on  July 17, 1999 and other divested  non-core  businesses.
Comparable sales for the nine months increased 1.3% on a volume increase of
0.6% compared to the same period last year.

Food  Service nine months sales decreased 1.4% compared to the same  period
last  year,  with a 1% increase in volume which was more than offset  by  a
2.4%  decrease  in  average sales prices. Segment profit for  Food  Service
decreased $76 million from the same period last year due primarily  to  low
market  prices which more than offset an improved product mix,  and  higher
grain costs.

Consumer Products nine months sales were comparable to the same period last
year,  with  a 0.9% decrease in volume mostly offset by a 0.8% increase  in
average sales prices. Segment profit for Consumer Products decreased  $64.7
million  from the same period last year due primarily to low market  prices
which more than offset an improved product mix, and higher grain costs.

International  nine months sales increased 5.3% over the same  period  last
year,  with  a  6.6%  increase in average sales prices  offset  by  a  1.2%
decrease  in  volume. International segment profit increased  $0.7  million
over the same period last year.

Swine  nine  months sales increased 49.1% over the same period  last  year,
with  a  62.4% increase in average sales prices offset somewhat by an  8.2%
decrease  in volume. Swine segment profit improved $66.6 million  over  the
same period last year due to the increase in average sales prices.

Other  nine  months  sales decreased 2.3% from the same  period  last  year
mostly  due to  non-core businesses sold during fiscal 1999. Other  segment
profit increased $12.9 million over the same period last year mostly due to
the   prepared  foods  group  and  the  Company's  poultry  breeding  stock
subsidiary.

Cost  of  goods sold decreased 1.6% for the nine months of fiscal  2000  as
compared  to the same period last year. This decrease is mainly the  result
of  the decrease in sales.  As a percent of sales, cost of sales was  83.6%
for  the nine months of fiscal 2000 and 82.4% for the nine months of fiscal
1999. The increase in cost of goods sold as a percent of sales was impacted
by the weak domestic market and the reduction in volume associated with the
Company's ongoing production cut.

Operating  expenses decreased 1.4% for the nine months of fiscal 2000  over
the same period last year. Selling expense, as a percent of sales, was 7.9%
for  the  nine months of fiscal 2000 and 8% for the nine months  of  fiscal
1999.  General and administrative expense, as a percent of sales, was  2.3%
for  the nine months of fiscal 2000 and 1.8% for the nine months of  fiscal
1999. The increase in general and administrative expenses is primarily  due
to  $24.2  million ($0.07 per share) in bad debt reserve  recorded  in  the
second  quarter  of  fiscal 2000 resulting from the  bankruptcy  filing  by
AmeriServe.  Amortization expense, as a percent of sales, was 0.5% for  the
nine months of fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999.


                                    12
<PAGE>
Interest expense decreased 6.8% for the nine months of fiscal 2000 compared
to  the same period last year primarily as a result of a 15.5% decrease  in
the  Company's  average  indebtedness  over  the  same  period  last  year.
Although the overall weighted average borrowing rate increased slightly  to
6.9% compared to 6.7%, interest expense decreased primarily as a result  of
paying off more expensive long-term debt with strong positive cash flows.

The effective income tax rate for the nine months of fiscal 2000 and fiscal
1999 was 35.7% and 35.8%, respectively.

IMPACT OF YEAR 2000

The  Company  has  completed  its Year 2000 Project  as  scheduled.  As  of
August  11,  2000,  the Company's products, computing,  and  communications
infrastructure systems have operated without Year 2000 related problems and
appear  to  be Year 2000 ready. The Company is not aware that  any  of  its
major customers or third-party suppliers have experienced significant  Year
2000 related problems.

The Company believes all its critical systems are Year 2000 ready. However,
there  is no guarantee that the Company has discovered all possible failure
points  including  all systems, non-ready third parties whose  systems  and
operations impact the Company, and other uncertainties.

Because  many  of  the  systems were already  compliant,  did  not  require
significant  modifications to make them compliant,  or  were  replaced  for
other  business  reasons, the costs incurred specifically to  address  Year
2000  readiness are not material to the Company.  Since 1996, the  expenses
that  resulted  from  Year  2000 readiness activities  have  been  absorbed
through  the annual Management Information Systems operational  budget  and
funded  from  internally  generated funds.  These costs  can  be  primarily
described  as  personnel  costs and have increased  each  year  since  1996
because of increased activity from testing.  The costs incurred since  1996
are  approximately  $1.5 million. No projects under  consideration  by  the
Company  have  been  deferred  because of Year  2000  efforts.  In  certain
instances,  software  was purchased to provide new  functionality  for  the
Company, replacing software that was not compliant. An example of  this  is
the  implementation of new accounting software from SAP  that  the  Company
installed at the beginning of fiscal year 1999.    These purchases were not
predicated  by  the Year 2000 issue; however, the result is  that  the  new
systems are compliant and non-compliant systems were ultimately retired.

FUTURE ACCOUNTING REQUIREMENTS

In  June  1998,  the Financial Accounting Standards Board  ("FASB")  issued
Statement  No.  133 ("FAS No. 133"), Accounting for Derivative  Instruments
and  Hedging  Activities, as amended by FAS No. 138 in June  2000.  In  May
1999,  the  FASB voted to delay the effective date of FAS No.  133  by  one
year.  The  Company  will be required to adopt FAS No.  133  in  the  first
quarter  of  fiscal  year 2001. This statement establishes  accounting  and
reporting  standards  which  requires that all  derivative  instruments  be
recorded  on  the  balance  sheet  at  fair  value.  This  statement   also
establishes  "special accounting" for fair value hedges, cash flow  hedges,
and  hedges  of  foreign currency exposures of net investments  in  foreign
operations.  The Company has determined the business processes  related  to
hedging   activities  mainly  consist  of  grain  procurement  and  certain
financing activities.   Management has  not completed its  determination of

                                    13
<PAGE>
the impact of the adoption of this new accounting standard on its financial
position and results of operations.


CAUTIONARY  STATEMENTS  RELEVANT  TO FORWARD-LOOKING  INFORMATION  FOR  THE
PURPOSE  OF  "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES  LITIGATION
REFORM ACT OF 1995

The  Company and its representatives may from time to time make written  or
oral forward-looking  statements, including forward-looking statements made
in  this  report,  with  respect to their  current views and  estimates  of
future economic circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and
financial results. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number
of factors and uncertainties which could cause the Company's actual results
and  experiences  to  differ  materially from the anticipated  results  and
expectations, expressed in such forward-looking  statements.  The   Company
wishes   to  caution  readers not to place undue reliance on  any  forward-
looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Among the factors
that  may  affect the operating results of the Company are  the  following:
(i)  fluctuations  in the cost and availability of raw materials,  such  as
feed  grain  costs in relation to historical levels; (ii)  changes  in  the
availability  and  relative  costs of labor and  contract  growers;   (iii)
market  conditions for finished products, including the supply and  pricing
of  alternative  proteins, all of which may impact  the  Company's  pricing
power;  (iv) effectiveness of advertising and marketing programs;  (v)  the
ability  of  the  Company to make effective acquisitions  and  successfully
integrate  newly acquired businesses into existing operations;  (vi)  risks
associated  with  leverage,   including   cost  increases  due   to  rising
interest   rates; (vii) changes in regulations and laws, including  changes
in  accounting  standards,  environmental laws,  occupational,  health  and
safety  laws;  (viii)  issues  related  to  food  safety,  including  costs
resulting  from  product  recalls, regulatory compliance  and  any  related
claims  or litigation; (ix) access to foreign markets together with foreign
economic  conditions, including currency fluctuations; and (x)  the  effect
of, or changes in, general economic conditions.


Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risks

There  have  been  no  significant changes in market risk  or  market  risk
factors since the 1999 annual report to shareholders.

















                                    14
<PAGE>
                        PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.    Legal Proceedings


      On  June  22,  1999, eleven current and/or former  employees  of  the
Company  filed  the case of M.H. Fox, et al. v. Tyson Foods,  Inc.  in  the
United  States District Court for the Northern District of Alabama (Fox  v.
Tyson)  claiming  the  Company  violated requirements  of  the  Fair  Labor
Standards Act. The suit alleges the Company failed to pay employees for all
hours  worked  and/or improperly paid them for overtime  hours.   The  suit
generally alleges that (i) employees should be paid for time taken  to  put
on  and take off certain working supplies at the beginning and end of their
shifts and breaks and (ii) the use of "mastercard" or "line" time fails  to
pay  employees for all time actually worked.  Plaintiffs seek to  represent
themselves and all similarly situated current and former employees  of  the
Company.  At filing 159 current and/or former employees consented  to  join
the lawsuit and, to date, approximately 4,900 consents have been filed with
the court. Discovery in this case is on-going.  A hearing was held on March
6,   2000  to  consider  the  plaintiff's  request  for  collective  action
certification and court-supervised notice.  No decision has been  rendered.
The  Company  believes it has substantial defenses to the claims  made  and
intends to vigorously defend the case.  However, neither the likelihood  of
unfavorable  outcome  nor the amount of ultimate liability,  if  any,  with
respect to this case can be determined at this time.

      Substantially similar suits have been filed against other  integrated
poultry   companies.   In  addition,  organizing  activity   conducted   by
representatives  or  affiliates of the United Food and  Commercial  Workers
Union  against the poultry industry has encouraged worker participation  in
Fox v. Tyson and the other lawsuits.

      On or about July 23, 1998, the Maryland Department of the Environment
(MDE)  filed  a  Complaint for Injunctive Relief  and  Civil  Penalty  (the
Complaint)  against the Company in the Circuit Court of  Worcester  County,
Maryland.  for  the alleged violation of certain Maryland  water  pollution
control  laws with respect to the Company's land application of  sludge  to
Company owned agricultural land near Berlin, Maryland.  The MDE sought,  in
addition  to  injunctive and equitable relief, civil  penalties  of  up  to
$10,000  per  day  for  each  day the Company  had  allegedly  operated  in
violation of the Maryland water pollution control laws.  On July 7, 2000, a
consent  decree was entered in which the Company agreed, in  settlement  of
all  claims  by  the MDE, to (i) make certain improvements  to  its  Berlin
wastewater  treatment facility, (ii) deed approximately 100 acres  and  pay
$20,000  to  The Nature Conservancy, and (iii) pay $80,000 in penalties  to
the  MDE.   Furthermore, the consent decree stipulated  a  time  frame  for
operational compliance by the wastewater treatment facility upon completion
of the aforementioned improvements.

      On  January  20,  2000,  McCarty  Farms,  Inc.  (McCarty),  a  former
subsidiary  of  the  Company which has been merged into  the  Company,  was
indicted  in the United States District Court for the Southern District  of
Mississippi, Jackson Division, for conspiracy to violate the federal  Clean
Water  Act.   The  alleged  conspiracy  arises  out  of  McCarty's  partial
ownership  of  Central  Industries,  Inc.   (Central),  which  operates   a
rendering  plant in Forest, Mississippi.  Also indicted were  Central,  the
other  shareholders  of  Central and  a former  chairman  of  Central.   In

                                    15
<PAGE>
addition to the conspiracy count, the indictment alleges (although not with
respect   to  McCarty)  (i)  knowing  violations  of  Central's  wastewater
discharge permit, (ii) negligent discharge of pollutants and (iii)  knowing
violations  of  Central's  permitted wastewater volumes.   All  allegations
arose from the operation of Central's rendering plant during the summer  of
1995, prior to the Company's purchase of McCarty in September of 1995.  The
trial  of the alleged violations is scheduled to begin on October 31,  2000
in Jackson, Mississippi.  Neither the likelihood of unfavorable outcome nor
the  amount of ultimate liability if any, with respect to this case can  be
determined at this time.


Item 2.    Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

Not Applicable

Item 3.    Defaults Upon Senior Securities

Not Applicable

Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not Applicable

Item 5.    Other Information

2001 Annual Meeting

The  Company's 2001 Annual Meeting is currently scheduled for  January  12,
2001. Accordingly, pursuant to the Company's bylaws, for any business to be
brought  before the 2001 Annual Meeting by a proponent shareholder, written
notice  (in  proper  form  as  required by the Company's  Bylaws)  must  be
provided  to R. Read Hudson, the Company's Secretary, at 2210 West  Oaklawn
Drive, Springdale, Arkansas 72762-6999, no later than October 29, 2000  and
no earlier than October 4, 2000.

On August 11, 2000, the Company announced the election of an additonal
director.  A copy of the related press release is attached hereto as
Exhibit 99.

Item 6.    Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits:

The  exhibits filed with this report are listed in the exhibit index at the
end of this Item 6.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

The Company did not file any reports on Form 8-K  for the quarter ended
July 1, 2000.







                                    16
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT INDEX

The following exhibits are filed with this report.

Exhibit No.                                                          Page
-----------                                                          ----

3.1  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
     (previously filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's
     Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
     October 3, 1998, Commission File No. 0-3400, and
     incorporated herein by reference).

3.2  Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company
     (previously filed as Exhibit 3.2 to the Company's
     Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended
     January 1, 2000, Commission File No. 0-3400, and
     incorporated herein by reference).

27   Financial Data Schedule


99   Press Release, dated August 11, 2000, of Tyson Foods, Inc.       19



































                                    17
<PAGE>
                                SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                    TYSON FOODS, INC.

Date: August 11, 2000              /s/ Steven Hankins
      ---------------              ----------------------------
                                   Steven Hankins
                                   Executive Vice President and
                                     Chief Financial Officer


Date: August 11, 2000              /s/ James G. Ennis
      ---------------              ----------------------------
                                   James G. Ennis
                                    Vice President, Controller and
                                     Chief Accounting Officer






































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