Dec 7, 2005 10:43 AM, from staff and wire reports

Tyson Foods Inc has started taking applications for many of the anticipated 1,600 jobs that will be created by a new meat production plant opening in Sherman TX.

The Springdale AR-based meat company has been converting the former Oscar Mayer plant in Sherman into a case-ready beef and pork operation. Tyson already has 50 management workers on staff and plans to start hiring some of the more than 1,000 production workers who will be needed for the first phase of production, which is set to begin in early February 2006. The rest of the workforce will be added as the plant increases production.

This new operation will use beef and pork from other Tyson plants to produce packages of steak, roasts, chops, ground beef, and other items that are ready for retail grocers to place directly into the meat case. Most of the jobs will involve cutting, trimming, and packaging product. Other positions will include box handling and storage, maintenance, quality assurance, and production management.