Tyson will close poultry plants in Virginia and Arkansas that employ more than 1,600

A Tyson food product is seen in Montpelier, Vt., on Nov. 18, 2011. Tyson Foods says the company is closing two facilities that employ more than 1,600 people in an effort to streamline its U.S. poultry business. (Toby Talbot/AP)

Tyson Foods is closing two facilities that employ more than 1,600 people in an effort to streamline its U.S. poultry business.

The company said Tuesday it plans to close its processing, broiler and hatching operations in Glen Allen, Virginia, and a plant in Van Buren, Arkansas. Both closures are scheduled for May 12.