USA, Springdale, Arkansas. Tyson Foods, Inc., one of the world's largest food companies with leading brands including Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Sara Lee, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells and State Fair, reported the following results:Record EPS of $1.59, went up 38% from Q1'16, record operating income went up 27% to $982 mill. The total company sales volume increased 2.4% from Q1'16; all segments sales volume went up from prior year. This means a record total company operating margin at 10.7%, a record pork segment operating margin at 19.7%, a record beef segment operating margin at 8.5% and Chicken and Prepared Foods segment operating margin within normalized range. Summary of Segment Results
Beef - Sales volume increased due to improved availability of cattle supply and stronger domestic and export demand for our beef products. Average sales price decreased due to higher domestic availability of beef supplies and lower livestock cost. The operating income increased due to more favorable market conditions as we maximized our revenues relative to the decline in live fed cattle costs, partially offset by higher operating costs.
Pork - Sales volume increased due to strong demand for our pork products and increased exports. Live hog supplies increased, which drove down livestock cost and average sales price. The operating income increased as we maximized our revenues relative to the live hog markets, partially attributable to stronger export markets and operational and mix performance, which were partially offset by higher operating costs.
Prepared Foods - Sales volume increased due to improved demand for our prepared foods products. Average sales price decreased primarily due to a decline in input costs of approximately $100 mill., partially offset by product mix changes. The operating income decreased due to higher operating costs at some of our facilities, increased marketing, advertising and promotion spend and $22 mill. of compensation and benefit integration expense. Additionally, Prepared Foods operating income was positively impacted by $127 mill. in synergies, of which $32 mill. was incremental synergies in the first quarter of fiscal 2017 above the $95 mill. of synergies realized in the first quarter of fiscal 2016. The positive impact of these synergies to operating income was partially offset with investments in innovation, new product launches and supporting the growth of our brands.