People in at least seven states have reported receiving packets of seeds in the past few days that are believed to be invasive species from China. If planted, the seeds pose a risk to crops and livestock.
Read more“At one point in late April, more than half of the ethanol industry’s production capacity was shut down,” said RFA CEO Geoff Cooper. “The idling of dozens of ethanol plants reverberated throughout rural America and sent ripple impacts across the farm economy.”
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The July farm equipment-sales index increased to 34.4 from 32.8 in June.
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Hog farmers are seeking congressional action to keep the industry afloat amid the “largest economic hit” it has seen in 30 years.
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As the coronavirus pandemic took hold, it disrupted freight demand, forcing some carriers to furlough drivers while others were quick to hire those drivers as a way to swiftly onboard experienced commercial vehicle operators.
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Read the remarkable story of Bushel Plus in the next issue of the Association magazine. The young company found its way forward while its founder endured a nine-month recovery from a car accident an entire continent away.
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The Association has put together a speaker lineup that we hope will give attendees a bit of a firmer grasp on navigating business post-COVID-19.
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“It is time to try,” said Vernon Schmidt, the Association’s executive vice president. “This extended isolation is not good for individuals, and it is not good for this industry.”
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Profit leaders who took the survey gained their edge by better controlling operating expenses. Cost control more significantly influenced the bottom line than gross profits.
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Other factors that prevented greater gains in the bottom included implementing an OEM product line and rewarding employees for their service during the pandemic.
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Farmers’ perspective regarding whether or not now is a good time to make large investments in their farming operation improved markedly over the last two months.
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The agreement was possible because YRC is designated as critical to national security. Taxpayers will end up owning 30 percent of the company’s stock.
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Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin have collected one-fourth of USDA’s corona-virus relief payments. California has the largest average payment.
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The Supreme Court declined to take up a case challenging 25 percent tariffs on imported steel products. They will remain in effect.
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Granting employers legal immunity would make it less likely that they take the steps necessary to protect workers’ health, the trade groups said.
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Among factors contributing to the 37-year low: diminished demand for ethanol and timing: “We were planting into peak fear.”
Read moreManaging these vulnerabilities requires companies to collaborate with key supply-chain partners in ways such as jointly assessing risks in the supply chain and coordinating investments. Writers offered four fundamentals.
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More than 229,000 manufacturing companies received loans, which represented 10.36 percent of the total distributed as of June 30.
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New and temporary workers are most at risk to the hazards of excessive heat. OSHA offers suggestions on drafting a heat illness prevention plan.
Read moreThe act would require the SBA to
establish a free online calculator to provider borrowers “certainty and assistance” in pursuing loan forgiveness.
As of July 1, about 63 percent of the targeted $1.2 billion in food boxes had been delivered.
Read moreHighlights of June 2020 Flash Report from AEM.
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Members who responded to an informal poll about getting their sales team back on the road seemed to focus on July as a potentially significant step toward normal.
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Disclosures will include names of recipients who received loans worth >$150K, addresses, NAICS codes, ZIP codes, and more
Read moreUntil 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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The June farm equipment-sales index increased to 32.8 from 21.9 in May. The confidence index improved to 43.8 from May’s 22.1.
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The show promises sponsors a 125 percent return on their investment by the end of 2020 and a 200 percent return by June 30 of next year.
Read more“Empire Farm Days is not a county fair,” a statement from the show said. “This is an outdoor ag community business event.”
Read moreThe situation is fluid, to say the least, but 11 farm shows plan to host in-person events from September through December.
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Deere last week rolled out another voluntary severance program for U.S. salaried employees. Some positions are exempt, such as workers in precision ag, data and analytics, and IT departments.
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Solem was president of the Association from 1978 to 1979.
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One third of companies with global supply chains have moved–or soon will move–their sourcing and manufacturing activities out of China.
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Requiring an antibody test is not OK. A virus test and doctor’s note are.
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Dairy is expected to see the largest total loss, followed by grapes.
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A federal court had upheld EPA’s decision to allow dicamba’s use through July 31.
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Chinese buying made up roughly 56 percent of all new soybean export sales in the past month. By comparison, Chinese buying made up only 27 percent of U.S. soybean export sales in 2020 through May.
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“Expanding broadband access is a top priority for Farm Bureau,” said Zippy Duvall, president of AFBF, “but not at the expense of losing the accuracy of GPS,”
Read moreThe decision is potentially a big win for manufacturers, but only to the extent they can articulate sufficient safety- or business-related justifications for banning personal phones.
Read moreCLAAS of America and LoneStar Ag have opened a second location in Texas.
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Overexertion, falls and struck-by hazards are among the costliest workplace injuries.
Read moreEconomist Ernie Goss, Ph.D., makes a case for an alternative to a V-shaped or U-shaped economic recovery. He suggests a swoosh made famous by an athletic shoe brand.
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Companies can spend more of the funds on operating costs, take more time to rehire workers, and if repayment is required, take more time to repay.
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Join a conversation about how member companies are approaching getting their sales forces back on the road.
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Paul Tonnesen succeeds Josh Collins, who had been CEO since 2009. Also departing from Blount is President and Chief Operating Officer David Willmott.
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Brandt borrowed his dad’s tractor to begin his business when he was 27. He most recently served as a consultant and a member of the Board of Directors.
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The RFA marked the anniversary of President Trump’s visit to an Iowa ethanol plant by turning up the heat on the White House. Meanwhile, small refineries made an unprecedented request that would free them from their annual RFS requirements.
Read moreThe EPA submitted a response Tuesday to an emergency motion asking a court to order an end to the use of dicamba. Last week, the EPA said farmers could use the herbicide through July.
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The USDA and Food and Drug Administration said the government could use the Defense Production Act to keep fruit and vegetable lines moving.
Read moreThe government will send a record $32.8 billion in direct payments to farmers this year, but the economic slowdown triggered by the coronavirus still will pull down farm income by 3 percent.
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USDA’s latest crop progress report shows corn plantings nearly finished, with soybeans taking another moderate step forward. Now the focus shifts more to crop quality.
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