Latest News From COVID

SHIP IT Act Could Save Truck Drivers Up to $10,000 and Cover CDL Costs
SHIP IT Act Could Save Truck Drivers Up to $10,000 and Cover CDL Costs

Reps. Dusty Johnson and Jim Costa on Tuesday introduced the Safer Highways and Increased Performance for Interstate Trucking (SHIP IT) Act to expand the trucking workforce and offer flexibility in times of need.

Much like Beijing's Forbidden City is off limits without the emperor's permission, U.S. beef hasn't had permission to enter China in 14 years. But trade relations with China appear to be changing.
China to Hold Economic, COVID-19 Policy Meetings this Week, Following an Ease on Restrictions

“There is a problem with people thinking the pullback of Covid-zero measures is equivalent to the economy reopening, which it is not." says Leland Miller, CEO of research firm China Beige Book.

China Gives Signal it May Adjust its Stringent Zero-COVID Policy, Sparking New Wave of Protests
China Gives Signal it May Adjust its Stringent Zero-COVID Policy, Sparking New Wave of Protests

The top official in charge of China’s COVID-19 response told health officials Wednesday that the country faced a “new stage and mission” in pandemic controls.

Airplane
Chinese Delegates Meet with Top U.S. Officials in New York

China moved to close parks, malls and museums on Tues. as COVID-19 cases hit near-record levels. Lockdowns follow reports that, days before COP27, Xi sent policy and business advisers to New York to meet U.S. executives.

Omicron’s Effect on Food Demand and The Supply Chain
Omicron’s Effect on Food Demand and The Supply Chain

“I wouldn't be surprised as we put Omicron behind us that we're going to see a restaurant recovery in the summer. But right now the supermarket is still doing quite well on a historical basis," says Michael Swanson.

Supreme Court To Hear COVID Vaccine Mandate Arguments on January 7
Supreme Court To Hear COVID Vaccine Mandate Arguments on January 7

The timeline on these actions are tight—while arguments are heard on January 7, that’s three days before the enforcement efforts by OSHA are scheduled to start

trade cargo
U.S., China Container Shipping Rates Plummet 50%, Backlog of Unfilled Orders Grows

As backlogs at U.S. ports and climbing shipping rates plague the supply chain, new data shows container shipping rates between the U.S and China are dropping by more than 50% in  just a month. 

Rural Bankers Share Top Concerns Index
Rural Bankers Share Top Concerns Index

The rural economy is slowly improving after being crashed by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Bayer’s Future of Farming Dialogue goes virtual this year
Bayer’s Future of Farming Dialogue goes virtual this year

Bayer’s Crop Science Division’s Future of Farming Dialogue has changed from an in-person event to a virtual series.

Brick Meets Click: 29% of U.S. households now using online grocery
Brick Meets Click: 29% of U.S. households now using online grocery

Retail consulting firm Brick Meets Click found in its most recent consumer survey that roughly 37.5 million U.S. households used online grocery services in the month of August.

Farm group concerned over movement restrictions on H-2A workers
Farm group concerned over movement restrictions on H-2A workers

The National Council of Farmer Cooperatives is sounding the alarm about restrictions on the movement of H-2A workers within Mexico in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.