Meatpacker JBS and chicken company Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation say they’ll pay 100 dollars to American workers who voluntarily get the COVID-19 vaccine. Yahoo News Dot Com says thousands of U.S. meatpacking workers were infected last year, so the bonus will hopefully encourage employees to get the inoculations. COVID outbreaks temporarily halted most meat production…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Tyson Agrees to Price-Fixing Settlement
Tyson Foods agreed to $221.5 million to settle claims related to price-fixing lawsuits. The settlements are with three consumer and commercial purchasing groups who bought chickens directly from Tyson and require a federal judge’s approval. Tyson did not admit liability in agreeing to settle and said the payments will be reflected in its first-quarter…… MORE
USDA Issues Final Hemp Rules
The flurry of last-minute regulations from the Trump administration includes a final rule concerning Domestic Hemp Production. The Department of Agriculture published the final rule notice in the Federal Register Tuesday. The U.S. Hemp Growers Association says the final rule appears to address many of the concerns the organization expressed during a comment period.…… MORE
Monarch Butterfly Population Moves Closer to Extinction
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) – Researchers say the number of western monarch butterflies wintering along the California coast has plummeted to a record low, putting the orange-and-black insects closer to extinction. An annual winter count by an environmental group recorded fewer than 2,000 butterflies. That’s a massive decline from the tens of thousands tallied in recent…… MORE
USDA Offers Additional CFAP Help
Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue says the USDA will provide additional assistance through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. The agency will be expanding eligibility for some agricultural producers and commodities and updating payments to accurately compensate some producers who already applied to the program. Producers who are now eligible and those who need to modify…… MORE
Vaccine Hesitancy in Rural America
A recent study finds rural residents are hesitant to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The Kaiser Family Foundation COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor tracks the dynamic nature of public opinion as vaccine development unfolds. The Foundation is a nonprofit organization focusing on national health issues. The monitor shows three in ten people in rural areas say they…… MORE
Meat Worker COVID-19 Cases Drop
A new analysis of independent data for 2020 shows that new COVID-19 infection rates amongst meat and poultry workers were five times lower in December than in May. Meanwhile, rates in the general population rocketed up nine times in the same period. According to data from the Food and Environment Reporting Network, the meat…… MORE
AFBF Urges Turn the Page on Partisanship
A top farm organization leader says it is time to “turn the page” on partisan politics. Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall made the comments during an opening press conference as part of the American Farm Bureau Federation Virtual Annual Convention. Duvall’s remarks follow last week’s rally and attack on the U.S. capitol. Duvall says,…… MORE
Tyson Adds Alt-Meat Sandwiches to Jimmy Dean Line
Tyson Foods is adding breakfast sandwiches with soy-protein patties to its Jimmy Dean product line. The plant-based sandwiches are the latest offerings from the largest meat company in America and cater to the fast-growing alternative protein segment. They’re also the first alt-meat product under the Jimmy Dean sausage line. The Arkansas-based company says it’s…… MORE
USDA Extends Crop Insurance Flexibilities
USDA’s Risk Management Agency is extending crop insurance flexibilities for producers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, relief provided for electronic notifications and signatures is extended through July 15th. Organic certification, replant self-certification and assignment of indemnity are extended through June 30th. RMA is also allowing Approved Insurance Providers further flexibilities for production reporting, submitting…… MORE
