Virus Driving Swings in Supply, Demand, Cost
The cost of food at home was up 4.6 percent in August, as were the costs of men’s pajamas, bikes, and books. Consumers are paying much less for hotel rooms, cosmetics, and suits and dresses.
Read moreCOVID-19
Employers Hesitate to Adopt Payroll Tax Deferral
Beginning this month, employers can stop withholding part of employees’ share of Social Security taxes. The IRS will recoup the funds from employee paychecks in the first four months of 2021.
Read moreFDA Reiterates Warning About Dangerous Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Containing Methanol
FDA NEWS RELEASE Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update: FDA Reiterates Warning About Dangerous Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizers Containing Methanol, Takes Additional Action to Address Concerning Products Agency Urges
Read moreBig Exhibitors Pull Out of Big Iron Farm Show
Deere, Case and New Holland have save said they will not exhibit at the show in West Fargo, N.D.
Read moreFarm Progress, Husker Harvest Days Canceled
Until Monday, the Farm Progress Show was scheduled to be an in-person event in Boone, Iowa, in early September. A virtual event is in the works.
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EEOC: What Employers Can, Cannot Ask Around COVID
Requiring an antibody test is not OK. A virus test and doctor’s note are.
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California Ag Expects $9 Billion Hit from Virus
Dairy is expected to see the largest total loss, followed by grapes.
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USDA, Prosecutors Investigate Meatpackers
The president of the North Dakota Farmers Union said the industry has rarely seen such obvious market abuses by the meatpacking industry.
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House Votes to Give Small Businesses Flexibility on PPP
The House on Thursday passed legislation that expands the terms of the Payroll Protection Program to allow employers to spend a greater portion on non-payroll expenses.
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Need ‘Social Distance’ Visual Reminders?
Member Company Muir Omni Graphics has window clings, floor markers, and other products that remind employees to mitigate risk.
Read moreFewer Businesses Apply for Second Round of PPP
As of late last week, more than 40 percent of the funds remained available in the Paycheck Protection Program. That is in stark contrast to the rapid depletion of the fund in the first stimulus package.
Read moreMajority of States Begin to Reopen
At least 30 states have started to allow some businesses to operate or announced plans to do so in May. Find the status of every state on the Association’s web site.
Read moreBKT Adopts Mitigation Plan, Resumes Production in India
The company has introduced a series of safety protocols, including providing housing to workers.
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Cut Out the Noise Using Resources Curated for You.
Workplace rules are changes as more states transition to reopening the economy. Avoid the media filters and find what you need as you navigate employee safety and consider getting your sales team back on the road.
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Ethanol Industry Excluded from Farm Relief Package
USDA’s $19 billion aid plan doesn’t include any money for ethanol, despite an all-out push by the industry. Secretary Perdue said there simply wasn’t enough money to go around.
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Virus Idles Steel Plants
U.S. mills are operating at 56 percent of capacity, down from 80 percent in 2019, and steel output across the country has fallen by a third in three weeks.
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More Funding for Small Business Certain But Stalled
Lawmakers agree that small business businesses need more in a COVID-19 rescue package, but negotiations stalled over details. Resolution is expected this week.
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CDC: How to Handle Workers Who Have Been Exposed
Essential workers who have been exposed to the coronavirus can continue to come to work but must observe this practices.
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Trump Calls for Additional Support for Farmers
The White House wants the USDA to move quickly in distributing a new $16 billion aid package to U.S. producers.
Read moreCNH to Suspend Production in Grand Island
Because of COVID-19, the Case New Holland manufacturing facility in Grand Island, Neb. will temporarily suspend operations after Thursday. General
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Borrowers, Bankers Hit Glitches in SBA Loan Kickoff
By Monday morning, the SBA had approved more than 100,000 loans totaling $30 billion in spite of glitches in the application process. Find a link to the loan application here.
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USMCA Delayed, Tariff Relief Anticipated
Lawmakers and business groups have ramped up pressure on the administration to grant tariff relief to companies reeling from the coronavirus pandemic. The virus also has forced a delay in the start date for USMCA.
Read moreAlert Regarding Paycheck Protection Program
Starting this Friday, April 3, 2020, small businesses and sole proprietors can apply for a loan through the Paycheck Protection
Read moreUSMCA Delayed, Tariff Relief Likely
In response to the all-consuming demands of COVID-19, the administration is considering suspending tariffs, with exceptions. The implementation of USMCA also is on hold.
Read moreEmerge Stronger: Take Note of Innovations During Crisis
Ask these questions to capture best practices–and identify what can be eliminated–when the new normal emerges.
Read moreState Orders Affecting Business
See what’s happening in your state as governments issue orders in response to covid-19.
Read moreEmployee Election Form for COVID-19 Leave
Use this sample of an election form for employees seeking leave.
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Stimulus Offers Loans with Option for Forgiveness
The $2.2 trillion response deal allows small businesses to acquire grants and loans up to 125 percent of their payroll with the opportunity for loan forgiveness for businesses that can quickly ramp up or sustain their workforces.
Read moreDOL Clarifies Questions on New Families First Act
Clarifications issued Friday help employers make sense of the intermittent leave policy and how FFCRA works for businesses affected by closures or stay-at-home orders.
Read moreFarm Equipment Makers, Related Industries React
Deere, AGCO, CNHI, and Alamo have reacted to the pandemic by temporarily shuttering overseas operations. Domestically, there is news of layoffs and plant closures resulting from employees testing positive.
Read moreFamilies First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR | Wage and Hour DivisionSource: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-questions 03/30/2020 As provided under the legislation, the U.S. Department of
Read moreDeere shuts down Dubuque Works for disinfection – after positive COVID-19 case
John Deere Dubuque Works is temporarily shut down after a confirmed case of COVID-19 in an employee of the facility.
Read moreDraft Travel/Work Document
Essential Critical Infrastructure Worker Designation – Draft Text
Read moreEssential Business? Guidance in a Stay-At-Home Order
CISA GUIDANCE On March 23, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security issued “Guidance on the Essential Critical Infrastructure Workforce: Ensuring
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Member-Relevant Highlights of $2 Trillion Stimulus
New stimulus bill provides billions in loans to small businesses that can be converted to grants that will not require repayment.
Read moreFamilies First Coronavirus Response Act Notice
The U.S. Department of Labor posted its model employee notices for FFCRA rights. Link to the model notice Only employers
Read moreSee a Webinar on HR Legal Issues Related to covid-19
Webinar invitation: Ask an attorney your HR legal questions around covid-19.
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HR Resources from KCoe
Member company K-Coe Isom has compiled a toolkit with valuable information related to payroll and related employment questions.
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Contact U.S. Governors
Find out how to contact your governor and see sample language you can use to ask your state for assurance that your business is deemed “essential” during a stay-at-home order.
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U.S. Moves Tax Deadline to July 15
In these unprecedented circumstances, the federal government wants you to focus on your business not your tax return.
Read moreEmployment Law Questions Emerge Around COVID-19
Association partner Nilan Johnson Lewis have drafted a series of responses to questions facing employers related to the coronavirus.
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Bill Calls for Paid Leave at Small Companies
The bill requires employers of small companies to pay up to $511 a day for sick leave and up to $200 a day for family leave.
Read moreRisk Management – Best Practices
See tips for protecting your workforce and responding if an employee tests positive.
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Canceled: Supply Summit 2020
We look ahead to Orlando in October, where will we reconnect, learn, and grow your business.
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