Chicken Profitability Outlook
Q: What's driving chicken profitability and outlook?
A: Tyson's Chicken segment saw significant profit improvements, with the third consecutive quarter of over $100 million of AOI improvement. Operational excellence and cost reductions are key drivers, including plant closures and live performance improvements. While markets are volatile, Tyson is cautiously optimistic about fiscal 2024 but remains aware of uncertainties in protein markets and consumer sentiment.

Consumer Demand & Elasticity
Q: How is changing consumer behavior impacting chicken and prepared foods?
A: Tyson sees elasticities returning to pre-COVID levels in Prepared Foods, balancing price and volume growth to maximize branded portfolio value. They acknowledge consumer financial uncertainty due to elevated inflation and focus on revenue growth management. In Chicken, there is strong demand for dark meat and wings, and a slight shift towards foodservice.

CapEx Budget Tightening
Q: Is there room to reduce the CapEx budget further in fiscal 2024?
A: Tyson aims to reduce CapEx spending, with potential to tighten the budget slightly more this year. Despite a promising start, they are committed to lowering spend to the midpoint of their range or below in fiscal 2024 and next year, striving to be free cash flow positive while supporting the dividend.

Beef Segment Outlook
Q: What's the outlook for the beef segment amid cattle supply issues?
A: Tyson doesn't see significant heifer retention yet, and the data doesn't indicate herd rebuilding is taking place. They expect high cattle supplies for the balance of '24 and beyond, managing volatility and spread tightening. Tyson focuses on operational excellence, efficiency, and yield to navigate the cattle cycle.

Pork Margins Outlook
Q: How are pork margins expected to evolve through the year?
A: Tyson had strong Q1 performance due to lower hog costs and improved spreads. While Q1 is seasonally strong, they expect typical seasonality with some weakening later but see continued improvement through operational efficiencies and better decision-making.

Prepared Foods Competition
Q: Are you facing increased competition in Prepared Foods affecting price gaps?
A: Tyson acknowledges intense competition, including from branded players and private labels. They focus on driving consumption through high ROI merchandising, increasing marketing investment, strong innovation, and enhancing price pack architecture to maximize distribution.

Export Demand for Chicken
Q: How is export demand for chicken, particularly leg quarters?
A: Despite disruptions due to avian influenza, domestic frozen leg quarter inventory is at record lows, and demand is robust at attractive prices. Tyson notes that demand seems sufficient to clear inventory levels.

Feed Costs Impact
Q: How are lower feed costs affecting fiscal '24 and '25?
A: Tyson's exposure to feed costs is moderate, with benefits expected in the back half of the year. They have diverse commodity risk management and some pricing mechanisms where grains flow through pricing.

Prepared Foods New Wins
Q: Which products are driving new customer wins in Prepared Foods?
A: Tyson is regaining share in foodservice, making great strides in customer expansion. On the retail side, they're seeing strong growth behind core business lines and innovation, including success with products like Jimmy Dean Maple Griddle sandwiches, with extensions planned.

Chicken Segment Margins Long-Term
Q: Are chicken segment margins structurally higher long-term?
A: Tyson believes operational improvements and strategic actions position them to perform as a best-in-class chicken company from a margin standpoint. They've refocused growth to be demand-backed in favorable subcategories and improved live performance, aiming for sustained higher margins.

Promotional Activity in Prepared Foods
Q: How is promotional activity affecting Prepared Foods margins?
A: Tyson sees continued intense promotional activity. They're focusing on high ROI merchandising initiatives, increasing marketing investment, strong innovation, and enhancing price pack architecture to address competitive pricing and maintain margins.

Leverage and Operating Income Outlook
Q: Do you expect leverage to continue decreasing despite weather impacts?
A: Tyson projects leverage to continue decreasing over the fiscal year, ending in a better net leverage position than last year. They focus on efficient working capital, improved EBITDA, and reduced CapEx to achieve around a 2x net leverage ratio.

Prepared Foods Mix Shift
Q: Will shifting to foodservice in Prepared Foods pressure margins?
A: The mix shift into foodservice helps utilize capacity and reduces overhead drag, as they had excess capacity during the pandemic. While acknowledging mix impacts, Tyson is focused on operational efficiencies to drive strong bottom line and maintain margins.

Williams Sausage Volume Impact
Q: What is the volume contribution from Williams Sausage acquisition?
A: Tyson acknowledged the acquisition contributed to volume growth in Prepared Foods but did not break out specifics.

Exports for Beef, Chicken, and Pork
Q: What are the dynamics in export markets for beef, chicken, and pork?
A: Beef exports face challenges due to high domestic prices and competition from countries in the Southern Hemisphere, leading to decreased export opportunities. Chicken exports have been disrupted due to avian influenza, but domestic demand is strong with low inventories and attractive prices.