Canada Loosens Border Restrictions with U.S.
More than a year after Canadian authorities closed the 5,500-mile U.S. border to most travelers, it plans to allow vaccinated Americans to enter for recreational reasons beginning Aug. 9.
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COVID-19
Manufacturers Not Part of OSHA’s New COVID Order
Initial communication on the order suggested it would apply to all industries, but White House officials said the science didn’t call for that.
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OSHA Reverses Course on COVID Emergency Standards
OSHA has changed its mind and says it now will issue Emergency Temporary Standards that employers will be expected to follow related to COVID-19 in the workplace. Final rules are expected in June.
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Most States to Offer Businesses COVID Protection
Fifteen states have adopted laws that provide businesses civil liability protection from COVID-19 claims. Another 23 states have similar pending legislation. Several states are considering vaccine-related laws.
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OSHA: Cover Cost of Vaccine, Do Not Distinguish Vaccinated
The guidelines also suggest employers consider protections and reasonable accommodations for workers at a higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19,
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Requiring Vaccines: Employers Can But Likely Won’t
Employers appear not to be mandating vaccines. Some are offering financial incentives to encourage it.
Read moreTrudeau Reluctant to Reopen Border with U.S.
Trudeau’s current, pandemic-specific hesitation is not indicative of his longer-term interest in seeking what the U.S. administration seeks at the border.
Read moreSouthern Farm Show Cancels
“The idea of a show where everyone is behind a mask, show guests would be required to travel one way through the show to encourage social distancing, and good friends would not be allowed to shake hands, did not appeal to anyone,” the show manager said. “But mainly, our concern was for everyone’s health.”
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Fed Plan Unveiled Monday Includes More PPP
The first of the two-part proposal includes funds for another round of the Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses, as well as money for the unemployed, schools, and vaccine distribution.
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Avocado Consumption ‘Off the Charts’ During COVID
Anaylsts predict that post-pandemic indulgences will be foods like avocadoes, hence record consumption will continue.
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PPP Loan Forgiveness: A Q&A
The Small Business Administration in August started accepting applications to have Paycheck Protection Program loans forgiven. Here are some things to know.
Read moreOrthman Donates Masks to Schools
Orthman Manufacturing in Lexington, Neb., donated more than 3,700 masks to schools in its community so every student and employee had their own.
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COVID Activates Program to Give Employees Tax-Free Payments
For employees working remotely, payments can cover related utilities, wi-fi, and paper and ink, as examples. Employees in offices may use payments for hand sanitizer or masks and increased costs related to childcare and transportation.
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Cheaper, Faster COVID Tests Good News for Workplaces
Unlike the $100-and-up molecular diagnostics lab tests, antigen tests can cost as little as $5, and results are available within minutes rather than days.
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Quandary for Employers: COVID-19 Vaccines
More than a third of Americans say they will not get the COVID vaccine. That may create a legal showdown in the workplace.
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Child Care Needs Cause Problems in Factories
Nearly half of manufacturers said child-care constraints caused by the coronavirus made it difficult to recall furloughed workers or hire new ones in August.
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USDA Issues $14 Billion in COVID Relief to Farmers
This is the second round of assistance the administration will send to farmers. It distributed $19 billion earlier this year.
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No Handshakes, but Plenty of High-Impact Info
Although we will not gather for convention, we will come together briefly on screen to elect directors and hear from a former White House insider on what’s at stake in the November elections.
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What’s the Future of Trade Shows
A survey conducted by a marketing firm found that 88 percent of people are open to attending a trade show. Nearly a quarter were characterized as “not worried at all.”
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World Ag Expo Calls Off 2021
World Ag Expo announced Monday it will not host its outdoor farm show in 2021.
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USDA Projects Farm Income at 7-Year High
The last time federal payments accounted for a greater percentage of farm income was 2001 at 41 percent. Sonny Perdue said Monday he hopes to announce a new version of coronavirus relief this week.
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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.
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Watchdog Group Seeks Names of PPP Recipients at $25K Level
The SBA contends that disclosing the names of loan recipients could violate their privacy because the loans are scaled to the size of a business’s payroll. But advocates for disclosure say it is important to gauge the program’s effectiveness.
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New Round of Assistance Expected for Farmers
USDA Chief Sonny Perdue expects to deliver another round of funding to farmers soon through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.
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Farmers Prioritize Buying Equipment After Debt, Inputs
If farmers receive a fresh round of assistance this year, they will prioritize paying down debt. Competing for the funds after debt are equipment purchases and inputs.
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Unemployment Fraud Is On the Rise
The prevalence of reported fraud is staggering. Georgia found more than 130,000 false claims filed in July. Illinois identified more than 120,000 counts of unemployment insurance fraud in August. Consider these tips to avoid trouble.
Read moreBalancing Desire to Meet with Safety
If we were shocked in March, we are weary in August. Interest in Zoom meetings, virtual farm shows, and webinars is wearing thin. But perspectives on the risk vs. the benefit of connecting are individual, and differences are dramatic.
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Association Explores Convention Questions
The Board of Directors meets virtually next week to discuss the convention.
Read moreAlamo Group Sees Dip in Income in Q2
The company reported that agriculture has fared better than industrial so far this year, and North American operations have been less affected by the pandemic than European.
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Waiting for COVID Test Results?
Member companies have turned to testing services that sell home tests and promise results within 72 hours of receiving a sample.
Read moreSunbelt Ag Expo Calls It Off
The expo plans to return for its 2021 show and encourages those who would have attended this year to participate through social media.
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Bill Would Reduce, Extend Unemployment Benefit
The plan would expand a worker-retention tax credit created in March, make $190 million available to small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program, and send a second round of stimulus checks.
Read moreBig Exhibitors Pull Out of Big Iron Farm Show
Organizers said the show has a waiting list of exhibitors and will be full in spite of the withdrawals.
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Lifestyle Changes Create Boon for Tractor Supply
Tractor Supply saw sales grow by 35 percent in the quarter ended June 27. Its net income jumped 54.5 percent.The company saw a 14 percent year-over-year increase in new customers last quarter.
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Hog Farmers Take Big Financial Hit in Pandemic
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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COVID-19 Disrupts Freight, Shifts Driver Demand
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.
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 moreManufacturers Cut Capital Spending, Keep Tech Plans
A three-month moving average index of planned capital spending among U.S. manufacturers dropped in May to its lowest level since May 2009. Companies are using already allocated capital to accelerate investments in technology and research.
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Three Farm Belt States Get Quarter of Relief Money
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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Lawyers Oppose Employer Protections for COVID
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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Sales Folks Are Traveling, Liability Questions Arise
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.
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.
Read moreLeaders of Empire Days Upset Over Cancellation
“Empire Farm Days is not a county fair,” a statement from the show said. “This is an outdoor ag community business event.”
Read moreFarm Shows 2020: What’s On, What’s Off, What’s Virtual
The 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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California Ag Expects $9 Billion Hit from Virus
Dairy is expected to see the largest total loss, followed by grapes.
Read moreAn Economist Offers Thoughts on Recovery
Economist 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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SBA Loosens Loan Forgiveness Rules for PPP
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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In These ‘Unprecedented Times,’ Membership Matters
Join a conversation about how member companies are approaching getting their sales forces back on the road.
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Farm Workers Hard Hit by Coronavirus
The USDA and Food and Drug Administration said the government could use the Defense Production Act to keep fruit and vegetable lines moving.
Read moreFarm Income to Dip Despite Record Government Support
The 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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