Latest News From Coronavirus

More pork processing plants are idling production due to COVID-19 cases. The news sending shockwaves through the industry, with producers wondering how long the processing sector can make adjustments and accept hogs.

Joining many other manufacturer’s, John Deere is partnering with the UAW, Iowa Department of Homeland Security and the Illinois Manufacturer’s Association to make protective face shields for healthcare employees.

With businesses around the world shutting their doors to prevent further spread of COVID-19, one industry that persists despite risk is agriculture.

The Trump administration issued new guidelines Wednesday to make it easier for essential workers who have been exposed to COVID-19 to return to work if they do not have symptoms.

The global pandemic is clearly weighing on the minds of farmers. The new Purdue University CME Group Ag Economy Barometer recorded its largest one-month drop in sentiment.

James Ferraro, vice president at Agrellus, reports that the second two weeks of March 2020 saw a 225% increase in farmer buying requests compared to the same period last year.

“On the production side, in advance of the pandemic, we were prepared for a busy spring season,” says Steve Coulter, senior vice president of Koch Agronomic Services.

Eggs are in high demand at the grocery stores right now as more people cook from home. However, getting them from the farm to the table can be quite the process.

“The changes happening today—with social distancing impacting our processes—people are becoming more efficient and go online more," says Proagrica’s Carenza Harvey. 

The changes in everyday life forced by the COVID-19 pandemic have been vigorously debated as too much or too little, but it could take time to return to previous daily habits. John Phipps explains in John's World.

Farmers across the country are being asked to dump their milk, as food service demand crumbled rapidly due to COVID-19. Still, farmers are frustrated that consumers can't buy as much milk as they want right now.

The nation’s largest domestic hunger-relief organization will be short $1.4 billion in resources over the next six months. COVID-19 related issues have led to a 30% increase to the baseline six-month operating costs.

“COVID-19 has many ag advisors scrambling to figure out how to continue to support their customers while working remotely,” Casey Nieman said.

With more than 25,000 farmer users, Bushel is powering a new way of business in light of the coronavirus.

One of my favorite sayings about any new tax law is “We have the law, now we need the rules.”

“We've had about half of our orders in the month of March come in through the digital portal,” says Nutrien's Mike Frank. “So we're definitely seeing an uptick in digital ordering.”

Nutrien Ltd, North America’s biggest farm retail supplier, moved up shipments of crop supplies by two to four weeks

Here are four reasons why more ag input business will be done online long after we recover from COVID-19

Personal protective equipment is used across many industries, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, many agri-businesses are donating their inventory of masks and other PPE. 

“We started shifting supplies from one country to another and from one plant to another,” Tom Lyons explains. “From a supply chain standpoint, we are ready to go for the 2020 growing season.”

In a live webcast on Monday, AgPro editor Margy Eckelkamp shared how the virus outbreak has already changed the ag retail business

As you reach out to farmers who are making final 2020 crop decisions, here are some tips to maximize sales while practicing social distancing

At his business, ForeFront Ag Solutions, Erich Eller is taking particular steps in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We should use this moment to look at our weaknesses in our vital industries — and the food and fiber industry should rightfully be at the top of that list. 

There are a common set of practices we can all take, but the most important first step is what I’ve called the Turnaround Mindset.

“We've got to treat agriculture as a national security issue. If you've got livestock, you need the feed, and if you’re in dairy you need the assurance that your milk is going to get picked up,” says Chuck Conner.

“If I was on the retail side, I wouldn’t wait regarding supply, particularly for key products. I believe the logistics of those could be impacted later in the season..." says UPL's Brian Cardin.

Land-grant universities around the country are putting their heads together to find innovative ways to keep research and Extension programs rolling.

It’s not the spring break week many people were looking forward to. As the coronavirus pandemic grows, many universities are closing classrooms and moving courses online for two weeks, if not longer. 

The CME Group said the Chicago trading floor closed after business hours Friday in response to the virus.

A well-known machinery trade show is closing its doors early due to coronavirus concerns. CONEXPO (professionally known as CONEXPO-CON/AGG & IFPE), is the considered North America’s Largest Construction Trade Show.

COVID-19 took a big bite out of commodity prices this week, but could that trend continue? Some analysts fear prices will get even worse before things start to turn around.

The COVID-19 pandemic has hit during one of the busiest times for ag retailers as they work to get their customers off to a successful start for the growing season.

One of the most high-profile events in farm country affected by coronavirus concerns is the Houston Livestock show and Rodeo. Some producers had to pack up and leave for home while others didn’t even make the trip.

As news about coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to dominate headlines, organizations and events are taking precautions due to the illness.

Many Chinese farmers are shopping online for vital supplies as the spring planting season gets under way and the coronavirus outbreak disrupts traditional supply chains.

Today Bayer announced it will close its Creve Coeur, St. Louis site after learning an employee is under investigation for coronavirus infection.

“What happens in China will have profound effects in the short term," says Samuel Taylor, vice president of farm input analysis at Robobank.