THE HISTORIC SURGE IN BEEF PRICE SPREADS AND DROP IN CATTLE SLAUGHTER AS BEEF-PACKING PLANTS SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF COVID-19 HAVE RE-IGNITED OLD CONCERNS REGARDING PACKER MARKET POWER, PROMPTING CALLS FOR INVESTIGATIONS INTO INAPPROPRIATE INFLUENCE IN THE BEEF MARKET DURING THE PANDEMIC. THE COVID-19 DISRUPTION ALSO TRIGGERED NEW CONCERNS OVER THE BEEF SUPPLY CHAIN'S LACK OF RESILIENCY, PROMPTING CALLS FOR RESTRUCTURING THE INDUSTRY AS A MITIGATING STRATEGY FOR FUTURE PANDEMICS.A RESTRUCTURING STRATEGY THAT HAS GAINED TRACTION AMONG POLICYMAKERS IS TO FACILITATE THE GROWTH OF SMALLER MEAT ESTABLISHMENTS, THEREBY DIFFUSING THE INFLUENCE OF LARGE PACKERS AND PROMOTING LOCAL AND REGIONAL MARKETS. TO THAT EFFECT, SEVERAL BILLS HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVEL. THE USDA IS ALSO CONSIDERING PROVIDING PANDEMIC-RELATED STIMULUS MONEY TO DEVELOP REGIONAL MEAT PROCESSING AND DISTRIBUTION AS A STRATEGY FOR ENHANCING FOOD SUPPLY RESILIENCY.THIS RESEARCH PROJECT AIMS TO IMPROVE THE SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY OF THE U.S. BEEF PRODUCTION SYSTEM.TO THAT END, THE SUPPORTING OBJECTIVES ARE 1) TO EXAMINE INDUSTRY CONDUCT DURING COVID-19 PLANT SHUTDOWNS,2) FORMULATE A MODEL OF INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURING THROUGH EXPANDING LOCAL PROCESSING CAPACITY AS A MITIGATION STRATEGY,WITH IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS FROM OBJECTIVES 1 AND 2 FOR RESILIENCE AND SOCIAL WELFARE.