Latest News From Coronavirus

Report Distorts Truth About Worker Safety During Pandemic, Meat Institute Says
Report Distorts Truth About Worker Safety During Pandemic, Meat Institute Says

The North American Meat Institute says a House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis’ report distorts the truth about the meat and poultry industry’s work to protect employees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Walmart Will Now Pay Starting Truck Drivers $110,000, Could It Backfire and Make the Nationwide Trucker Shortage Even Worse?
Walmart Will Now Pay Starting Truck Drivers $110,000, Could It Backfire and Make the Nationwide Trucker Shortage Even Worse?

Increased regulation and the search for better work-life balance are two factors leading to a shortage of truck drivers in the U.S. Walmart is now increasing the starting salary for drivers to try to attract new people.

China Can't Control Latest COVID-19 Outbreak, and It Could Now Constrict Containers at World's Busiest Port
China Can't Control Latest COVID-19 Outbreak, and It Could Now Constrict Containers at World's Busiest Port

The commodity markets came under pressure to start the week as traders tried to shed risk over shipping concerns in China as COVID-19 concerns caused officials to shut down transportation amid a two-pronged lockdown.

EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Fauci on COVID Pandemic — "It Will End"
EXCLUSIVE: Dr. Fauci on COVID Pandemic — "It Will End"

Rural communities are likely to see an outbreak of the COVID-19 variant omicron later than big cities but Chief Medical Advisor to President Biden, Dr. Anthony Fauci says the pandemic will eventually end.

Cutting Into The Center Of Meat Processors' Labor Pains, This State Is Rolling Out A Hot Dog Factory On Wheels
Cutting Into The Center Of Meat Processors' Labor Pains, This State Is Rolling Out A Hot Dog Factory On Wheels

As labor woes continue to cripple meat processing plants, Missouri is rolling out a unique concept to answer many processors’ biggest need. The classroom on wheels will provide workforce development at a pivotal time.

House Subcommittee: Coronavirus Infections at U.S. Meat Plants Far Higher Than Previous Estimates
House Subcommittee: Coronavirus Infections at U.S. Meat Plants Far Higher Than Previous Estimates

Cases and deaths from COVID-19 among workers at the leading U.S. meatpacking plants were three times as high as previously estimated based on an investigation by the House Select Subcommittee.

Tyson Foods Says 96% of Workers Vaccinated
Tyson Foods Says 96% of Workers Vaccinated

Tyson Foods has achieved a 96% vaccination rate for COVID-19 among its 120,000 American workers.

Agriculture Left High Centered as Supply Chain Problems Expected to Persist Well into 2022
Agriculture Left High Centered as Supply Chain Problems Expected to Persist Well into 2022

Supply chain issues are becoming one of the biggest concerns for agriculture, and some economists say as the bottlenecks reach a critical point, it could take at least a year to remedy chaos in the global supply chain.

Trelleborg partners with Case IH
Case IH-New Holland Parent Company Forced to Idle Production in EU Due to Shortage of Semiconductors

CNH Industrial announced this week its temporarily shutting down several of its European manufacturing plants that produce agricultural equipment. CNH says it plans to shut down the facilities for eight days this month.

FSA Farmer Fallout? Vaccine Mandate Pegs All Personnel, Including Elected County Committee Members
FSA Farmer Fallout? Vaccine Mandate Pegs All Personnel, Including Elected County Committee Members

The White House’s executive order signed in September requires all USDA employees to be vaccinated by Nov. 22, and includes county FSA offices and employees, as well as elected county committee members who are paid.

Tyson Foods, Unions Strike Deal Over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate
Tyson Foods, Unions Strike Deal Over COVID-19 Vaccine Mandate

Tyson Foods said Friday labor unions have agreed to support its requirement for U.S. employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 by November, and the company will offer new benefits to workers including paid sick leave.

Pfizer Vaccine Receives Full FDA Approval: “Now is the Time to Get Vaccinated,” White House Says
Pfizer Vaccine Receives Full FDA Approval: “Now is the Time to Get Vaccinated,” White House Says

Dr. Bechara Choucair, White House vaccination coordinator, joins AgriTalk’s Chip Flory to discuss Full FDA approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for people 16 years old and older.

John Phipps: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Could Have Long-Haul Implications for Veterinarians
John Phipps: How the COVID-19 Pandemic Could Have Long-Haul Implications for Veterinarians

During the pandemic, companion animals were popular family additions. Pet ownership increased from 67-70% of households in one year, an all-time high. John Phipps explains why it could have lasting implications.

Rural Vaccination Rates on the Rise in 19 States as COVID-19 Testing, Cases See Uptick
Rural Vaccination Rates on the Rise in 19 States as COVID-19 Testing, Cases See Uptick

COVID-19 testing and cases are on the rise as the push to get America vaccinated continues. New data shows rural vaccination rates are up in 19 states, while questions remain about the new Delta variant.

Tyson Foods Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations for U.S. Employees
Tyson Foods Mandating COVID-19 Vaccinations for U.S. Employees

The company says it will also provide $200 to fully vaccinated frontline team members.

Despite Worker Worries, Foodservice Sales Soar to Record Levels in May
Despite Worker Worries, Foodservice Sales Soar to Record Levels in May

Foodservice spending at restaurants and bars totaled a record $67 billion last month. That's up more than $1 billion from February despite analysts saying the issue of finding restaurant staff is holding back sales.

Lawmakers Reject Mandated Virus Protections for Nebraska Meatpacking Workers
Lawmakers Reject Mandated Virus Protections for Nebraska Meatpacking Workers

A Nebraska bill has been delayed that would have extended COVID-19 protections for meatpacking workers for another year.

Tyson Foods Partners with LULAC to Encourage Vaccination 
Tyson Foods Partners with LULAC to Encourage Vaccination 

More than 44,000 Tyson Foods employees have been vaccinated, the company reports. Tyson recently hosted League of United Latin American Citizens CEO Sindy Benavides to an on-site COVID-19 vaccination event.

Biden Administration: Fully Vaccinated People Don’t Need Masks
Biden Administration: Fully Vaccinated People Don’t Need Masks

The CDC recently announced new protocols for fully vaccinated people. Chip Flory discusses these new measures Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, Senior Advisor to the White House COVID-19 Response Team.

Tyson Pilots Program to Open Health Centers for Employees
Tyson Pilots Program to Open Health Centers for Employees

Tyson Foods, Inc. is partnering with Marathon Health to pilot seven “Bright Blue” health centers near company production facilities as part of its efforts to boost the overall health and wellness of its workforce.

FAQs on COVID-19 Vaccination with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy
FAQs on COVID-19 Vaccination with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

“We know rural areas are different from urban areas, people are more spread out, it's not always as easy to travel to one location that's close to everyone to get a vaccine," Dr. Murthy says.

Study Finds COVID-19 Cases at Meat Processing Plants Caused $11 Billion in Economic Damages
Study Finds COVID-19 Cases at Meat Processing Plants Caused $11 Billion in Economic Damages

A new study from the University of California-Davis estimates 334,000 cases are attributable to packing plants. The study says that resulted in more than $11 billion in economic damage.

Pivoting In a Pandemic: Farmers Offer Lessons Learned at Virtual Summit
Pivoting In a Pandemic: Farmers Offer Lessons Learned at Virtual Summit

When the supply chain faced unprecedented challenges causing unpredictable markets and temporarily bare grocery store shelves, Jared Achen and Katie Olthoff were able to turn an obstacle into an opportunity.

Jennifer Shike
5 Hard Lessons Learned from a Year of Virtual FFA

A virtual FFA community can only fill the gap so far. I am grateful FFA has found solutions during the pandemic, but I believe the things FFA members have missed drive home the reasons why FFA is so important today.

New Program Assesses Tyson Foods’ COVID-19 Risk Mitigation Efforts

Tyson Foods, Inc., is piloting a new Matrix Medical Network program that assesses, addresses, verifies and monitors the effectiveness of Tyson’s efforts to protect its workforce from COVID-19. 

Meatpacking Industry Responds to U.S. Congress Investigation
Meatpacking Industry Responds to U.S. Congress Investigation

A U.S. Congress panel is investigating COVID-19 outbreaks at meatpacking plants nationwide. Here's how some of the packing plants responded.

U.S. Congress Panel Investigating COVID-19 Worker Safety at Meatpacking Firms

A U.S. congressional panel is investigating three large meatpacking companies for possible worker-safety violations following reports that hundreds of industry workers have died of COVID-19.

Credit: REUTERS/Mike Segar
Vilsack Weighs In On Parallel Between COVID-19 and Animal Disease Outbreaks

If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught the country anything, it’s that there is a tremendous amount of synergy between the circumstances of a pandemic involving humans and those involving animals. 

Nebraska Rancher Uses Herd to Honor Frontline Workers

David Schuler’s Christmastime tradition turned into a tribute to those working on as first responders through the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 Case Rates in Packing Plants Decline as General Population Rate Soars

Efforts to protect the men and women working to keep Americans’ refrigerators full are working, says Meat Institute president and CEO Julie Anna Potts.

CDC Prioritizes Frontline Meat Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination
CDC Prioritizes Frontline Meat Workers for COVID-19 Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control agrees that frontline meat and poultry workers should be some of the first vaccinated after health care workers and those in long-term care facilities.

Tyson Fires Seven Managers After Probe Into COVID-19 Wagering at Pork Plant

Tyson Foods Inc said on Wednesday it had fired seven managers at an Iowa pork plant after investigating allegations that they took bets on how many employees would catch COVID-19.

How Do We Build a More Resilient Supply Chain?
How Do We Build a More Resilient Supply Chain?

No one denies the pandemic ramped up changes that needed to be made in the food supply chain. Will past hesitations be set aside as the industry seeks to find ways to be more resilient to avoid a repeat of the spring?

U.S. Meatpacker Smithfield Foods Offers to Store COVID-19 Vaccines in Ultra-Cold Freezers
U.S. Meatpacker Smithfield Foods Offers to Store COVID-19 Vaccines in Ultra-Cold Freezers

U.S. states, cities and hospitals are scrambling to buy freezers that can safely store Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine at temperatures of minus 70 Celsius, significantly below the standard for vaccines.

The surge of COVID-19 cases across the country is hitting rural hospitals especially hard. Many aren’t equipped to handle critical patients, and with hospitals at capacity, some rural hospitals are unable to send patients to urban hospitals for care.
COVID-19 Crisis: Rural Hospitals Have Nowhere to Send Critical Patients

The surge of COVID-19 cases across the country is hitting rural hospitals especially hard. Many aren’t equipped to handle critical patients. Now some hospitals are unable to send patients to urban hospitals for care.

Meat Packers Accelerated Spread of COVID-19, Study Says

New research published by the National Academy of Sciences ties livestock meat packing plants to 6% to 8% of U.S. COVID-19 cases, and 3% to 4% of the deaths through late July.

The organization has moved thousands of potatoes from the farm to people who need them.
New FarmLink Project Helps Farmers Get Food To Hungry People

The organization partners with farmers and other members of the agricultural community to move food from the farm level to food banks and distribution centers around the U.S.

Don’t Delay Coronavirus Food Assistance Program Application

The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) opened up for applications on May 26, 2020 and ends August 28, 2020. If you have not put in your application for eligible livestock, do not delay further.

Texas Beef Team Members Volunteer Time and Food to Local Food Banks
Texas Beef Team Members Volunteer Time and Food to Local Food Banks

Texas Beef Team members have been challenged to help out communities statewide by volunteering their time or donating food to their local food banks. The “Texas Beef Team Gives Back" initiative runs through August 31.

Joint Effort Launches "Beef Up Iowa" to Help Feed Iowans

Governor Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Naig and Iowa Beef Producers have partnered with Iowa State University, Iowa Food Bank Association to feed food-insecure Iowans.

When Farm Journal first met Patrick Montgomery last year, the three-year-old business was just picking up steam. Thanks to some new-found fame, KC Cattle Company has since taken off.
Veteran-Owned Cattle Company Proves Suffering Builds Grit

When Farm Journal first met Patrick Montgomery last year, the three-year-old business was just picking up steam. Thanks to some new-found fame, KC Cattle Company has since taken off.

Farm Journal Live
FJ Live: Restaurant Industry Wants Help from Ag Lobby

The National Restaurant Association is asking for help from agriculture to lobby Congress for changes in coronavirus aid legislation.

R-Calf Urges Opening of CRP Lands to Slow Cattle Supply Chain
R-Calf Urges Opening of CRP Lands to Slow Cattle Supply Chain

R-CALF USA sent a letter to Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue asking him to consider opening the 24 million acres of land in the Conservation Reserve Program to help alleviate the backlog in the live cattle supply chain.

Grocers Grapple with Surging Ground Beef Prices, As Wholesale Tops $6
Grocers Grapple with Surging Ground Beef Prices, As Wholesale Tops $6

As COVID-19 impacts the supply chain, beef prices in grocery stores have started to skyrocket. Is $7.99 per pound for ground beef common? An interactive map shows just how high prices are getting for consumers today.

Feedlot Producer: Cattle Industry Has Never Been As Bad As Now
Feedlot Producer: Cattle Industry Has Never Been As Bad As Now

CoBank estimates meat supplies at grocery stores could shrink nearly 30% by Memorial Day, leading to prices rising by as much as 20%. Some cattle producers say they are barely hanging on due to futures prices.  

Beef Alliance Director Outlines Proposed Fed Cattle Set-Aside Program
Beef Alliance Director Outlines Proposed Fed Cattle Set-Aside Program

Mary Soukup, managing director of the Beef Alliance, outlined the details of the proposed plan to AgriTalk’s Chip Flory.

JBS Reopens Green Bay Plant for Limited Operation
JBS Reopens Green Bay Plant for Limited Operation

The plant was closed after cases of COVID-19 sickened workers.

Farm Journal Live
Farm Journal Live: Cattle Group Floating Set-Aside Program

A cattle group is floating the idea of a set-aside program for the cattle industry. Pro Farmer's Jim Wiesemeyer and Greg Henderson of Drovers will have the details on today's Farm Journal Live.

As the impact of COVID-19 continues, trying to stay afloat may be too much for some operations to withstand. Some producers now face a tough reality: liquidating cows and a shrinking cattle industry.
As Margins Collapse, Cattle Producers' Biggest Challenge is Survival

As the impact of COVID-19 continues, trying to stay afloat may be too much for some operations to withstand. Many face a tough reality: liquidating cows and a shrinking industry.

Tyson Reopens Pasco Plant for Limited Production
Tyson Reopens Pasco Plant for Limited Production

The facility had been idled since April 23 as it tested team members for COVID-19.