Cargill, a major producer of ground beef, said its plant in Dodge City, Kansas, shut due to snow, cold and a loss of power. The plant will re-open once power returns, the company said.

Tyson said it canceled both shifts at its sprawling beef plant in Holcomb, Kansas, after allowing some workers the option of "sheltering in place" at the slaugherhouse on Monday night.

Blizzard conditions stranded dozens of cars on Kansas roads near the beef plants on Monday, officials said.

(Reporting by Tom Polansek; Editing by Chris Reese and David Gregorio)

By Tom Polansek