Hog Industry News

FAQs on COVID-19 Vaccination with U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:55:55 GMT

To answer common questions about the COVID-19 vaccine, U.S. Surgeon General vice admiral Dr. Vivek Murthy joined AgriTalk on May 4. This was the same day President Joe Biden shared the goal for 70% of adults in America to have had at least one shot of the vaccine by July 4.

“The progress report is good,” Murthy says. “We have made tremendous progress in vaccinating the country to date. If you look at people above the age of 65, we’ve gotten at least one dose of the vaccine into more than 80%, which is pretty extraordinary. And we have about 70% of our seniors who are now fully vaccinated.”

But even with those 150 million people who have had at least one shot, Murthy says the country needs to have another 100 million shots administered in the next 60 days to reach the president’s next goal by July 4.

You can listen to the full interview with Murthy here:

On the segment, Murthy answered several commonly asked questions about the COVID-19 vaccine:

Do we have enough supply?

“Here in America, we have done a good job of bolstering our supply. So we do have more and more vaccine available for those who want it. And we also, very importantly, have more places where you can get a vaccine.”

What is being done to increase access to the vaccine?

“There are over 40,000 pharmacies in the country that now have vaccine to offer. We have community vaccination sites, we have community health centers where we’ve actually directly delivered vaccine from the federal government and we’ve got more primary care doctors who are getting vaccine direct-ly in their offices so they can give it to patients. The President and the administration will be providing more direct funding and support to rural health clinics to support outreach as well as direct allocation of vaccine to rural health clinics so they can directly vaccinate their own patients.”

How is access being improved specifically to rural America?

“We know rural areas are different from urban areas, people are more spread out, it’s not always as easy to travel to one location that’s close to everyone to get a vaccine. So we’ve got to work through some of those logistical barriers, which is why the funding for the rural health clinics and for these mobile units is so important. But we also know everyone looked gets information from different sources. We’re a big country. Not everyone listens to the same news station, radio station and that means we’ve got to do more work in getting information out, and particularly through people’s doctors, which is the reason behind one of the projects we launched. From my office and other offices in the government it’s something called COVID-19 Community Core, where we bring together doctors, nurses, faith leaders, local business leaders and others to get the accurate information they know they and their communities want and to be able to share that with them.

In addition to people trusting the doctors and nurses who take care of them, we know about 50% of people say they would take the advice of a family member or friend when it comes to making a decision on the vaccine. What that means is even if you don’t have a medical degree or a nursing degree, you can still be a vital force in helping people understand the vaccines we have for COVID-19 are a way to protect them against COVID and a way, ultimately, for us to help turn this pandemic around.”

Why are people hesitant to get the vaccine?

“We’ve seen a lot of news stories about people being hesitant to get the vaccine. But what we’re finding actually is people who haven’t gotten vaccinated yet it’s a combination of a few things. Some people have questions, which are important to answer. We want people to get answers from reliable sources, like their doctors or their nurses who take care of them. But we also know some people are wondering if it’s really that important for them to get vaccinated. Maybe they’re young and healthy, and they think, ‘Hey, I’m not at high risk of a bad outcome, do I really need to get this vaccine?’, or maybe they’re working two or three jobs and don’t have transportation to get to a vaccine center.

We’re trying to work on all three fronts to make sure we’re working closely with doctors and nurses around the country, as well as pastors and other faith leaders, to help get information to their com-munities. But we’re also trying to improve the number of access points so it’s easier and easier hope-fully over the weeks ahead for people to get vaccines in their pharmacy, in their doctor’s office or in their neighborhoods.”

Should people who have had COVID-19 get vaccinated?

“The answer is yes. And here’s why. It turns out the immunity you get from a natural infection is actually not as robust. It’s not as strong as the protection you get from the vaccine. So you’re more likely to be at risk for reinfection. That’s why we’re asking everyone to get vaccinated regardless of their prior infection.”

What if people still have questions?

“I always say our health is personal to us. And if you have questions, you absolutely have a right to get those questions answered because ultimately, it’s your health. Here are a couple of things to keep in mind about the vaccine.

Recognize 90% of doctors in this country have either gotten the vaccine or are planning to get it as soon as possible. That tells you about the faith the medical profession has in the vaccine.
Keep in mind these vaccines, even though it seems like they were developed on a quick timeframe, the technology behind them has been in development for decades.
We are lucky enough to see the culmination of that research, and these vaccines have been studied rigorously in clinical trials and what we’ve seen with nearly 150 million people having received at least one dose of the vaccine is this side effect profile remains really strong in terms of safety. The effectiveness remains extraordinarily strong and high as well. That’s what you want to see — high effectiveness and very low risk in any vaccine you take.
I know many people are worried about the side effects of the vaccine. But first of all, the vast majority of people don’t have side effects from this vaccine. Those who do tend to experience one to two days of flu-like symptoms, meaning fatigue, maybe a low-grade fever and a body ache, but that lasts for about a day or two. Then it goes away, and they feel pretty good. Afterward what you’re left with is protection from the vaccine.

“It’s certainly a blessing to be able to serve the country, especially at a time like this during this pandemic crisis. I’m eager to do everything I can to help,” Murthy says.

Texas Tornado Destroys Ag Shop, But Doesn’t Stop FFA Members From Helping Community

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 16:31:02 GMT

A line of storms snaked through north and central Texas on Monday, resulting in several tornadoes along the Interstate 35 corridor. About 60 miles northwest of Fort Worth, an F3 tornado touched down outside of Jacksboro at 3:45 p.m., ripping buildings to shreds, including the local high school, elementary school and ag shop.

“I felt so helpless,” says Kevin Thomas, ag teacher at Jacksboro Independent School District.

Thomas had left school to pick up his truck and trailer at his farm about 12 miles away when the tornado hit.

“I knew it hit my ag shop and there was nothing I could do,” he says. “Two co-teachers and 20 students were in the ag shop practicing for judging contests. All I could do was pray that nothing happened to them. Yes, they were capable, but my nature is to take care of things and when I couldn’t ...”

The Jacksboro High School’s ag shop was torn apart in the tornado that produced 150-mph winds, says ag teacher Kevin Thomas. Video by Kevin Thomas.

Braced for Impact

The tornado ripped off the roof the ag shop and the high school gym. The elementary school also took a major hit with 200 kids inside waiting for buses to arrive.
It’s a miracle no one was seriously injured or killed, Thomas says. Survey teams have confirmed 10 tornadoes hit the area, which might increase as the National Weather Service continues to investigate damage.

“We just didn’t have much warning,” Thomas says. “It developed quickly and was on us so fast.”

Despite the devastation this town of 4,000 experienced, Thomas says he’s grateful. All of his students that stayed after school to practice for FFA contests were safe and none of the elementary school kids or their families were hurt.

A look inside the high school gym at Jacksboro after the tornado struck. Video provided by Kevin Thomas.

The school district has relatively new buildings specially designed and geared for tornadoes, he says.

“Every building has tornado hallways built along concrete structures with emergency gates that slide in place like a bunker. We do drills to prepare us for moments like this,” Thomas adds.

Unfortunately, the ag shop wasn’t quite as equipped, and his co-teachers had to hunker down in the bathrooms with all their students. Once the storm passed and Thomas made it back to the school around 4:15 p.m., his FFA students jumped in his truck, and they headed out into their community to help people one house at a time. They passed out waters and Gatorades and comforted elderly members of their community standing outside their homes in shock.

“There were no emergency workers in sight. We had to drag trees out of roadways and there were power lines down everywhere,” he says. “I brought in my skid steer and helped move trees off houses, living rooms, etc. I just wanted to help give people a little peace of mind. We just talked and worked alongside each other and our FFA kids helped every step of the way.”

(Farm Journal)

FFA members pitch in and help with clean-up after the tornado. Photo by Kevin Thomas.

A Desire to Help

To his knowledge, this is the first tornado to hit their community, or at least since he moved there in the mid-1980s.

“We’ve been through some really rough times as a community, but never a storm like this. With all the turmoil in the world, food and fuel prices, politics, I just looked up yesterday and saw good in people,” Thomas says. “No judgment. Nothing but a desire to help. When things get tough, we lay our differences aside and focus on one mission, one goal. It was about being a good human and helping your neighbor.”

A drone’s view of the damage at Jacksboro Independent School District. Video provided by Kevin Thomas.

The cost of the damage is still unknown. The school farm is wiped out. A week ago, Jacksboro FFA would have lost all the kids’ show pigs for Houston.

“We are starting a new season this week focusing on career development events,” he says. “I can’t imagine what it would have been like if this would have happened last week.

You can’t help but think there’s a man upstairs after driving through the community and seeing all the damage. How did we all make it out of this with hardly a scratch?”

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

Is ‘Tornado Alley’ Expanding East?

The Day Derecho Hit Our Farm

Derecho Forces Evacuation of 25,000 Pigs After Winds Rip Barns Apart

Champion Steer Sells For $1 Million in Houston

The Night the Fire Took the Farm

Speechless: The Call That Saved One Hog Producer’s Farm

Our Derecho Story: The Trees Saved Our Pigs

Productive Days on the Farm Start with a Morning Meeting

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:55:16 GMT

It’s early. You haven’t had enough coffee. Everyone already knows what needs to be done. You don’t have time. The list of excuses goes on about why you don’t need to hold a morning meeting for your team.

But some leaders suggest rethinking that choice.

“You always have time to plan and get your staff ready for the day. If you don’t decide to plan your day out or how you’re going to use your resources, you are doomed to fail,” said Benjamin Stajkowski of Grand View Farms during the Carthage Veterinary Service Swine Health and Production Conference.

He believes morning meetings set the tone each day on the farm to be productive and just busy. Here are five things to consider doing at your next morning meeting, Stajkowski said.

1. Take attendance.
Who’s here? Who’s missing? Find ways you can lift and shift to cover for anyone who is not present.

2. Go over daily or routine tasks and assignments.
Discuss what you are going to do – it could be someone’s first day or their 10th year, reinforce key tasks. Don’t assume your employees know what to do.

3. Discuss weekly tasks.
We all know the weekly tasks, but when will they happen? Is today the day for a weekly task or is it only a priority if there is extra time in the day? Stajkowski said that’s why it’s so important to share the priorities of the weekly tasks.

4. Talk about the non-routine items that will happen.
What are special jobs we need to do this week? Things that aren’t routine? Keep repeating them, he added. You may think employees know, but the more who know, the better.

5. Keep the team informed about what’s going on.
Go over safety issues. We want to keep our people safe because they are the best asset on our farm, he said. Discuss production numbers. Are you winning or losing? Is there more work to be done? Provide positive feedback for an individual or a group, but only share constructive feedback as a group.

“All the plans in the world are great, but we all know something’s going to go wrong in the first 30 minutes in the day,” Stajkowski laughed.

That’s another reason why morning meetings can be so beneficial. They allow leaders to reconfigure how the day will go more easily because everyone has been informed about the bigger picture.

To keep things moving all day, he recommended conducting a mid-day check-in at lunch or at a mid-day break to see how progress is coming along.

At the end of the day, encourage all staff or at least farm leadership to review what was accomplished throughout the day, he said. Determine what still needs to be completed tomorrow and start planning other tasks and chores for the week ahead.

“Then ask yourselves the most important question, ‘What can we do better tomorrow?’” Stajkowski said. “There’s always opportunities every day for improvement, regardless of whether it’s the most perfect day on the farm or not.”

In the end, it comes down to planning, he said. Planning is the key to success in any endeavor.

“Are you going to use your most important asset to your advantage and get the most out of it?” Stajkowski said. “Having everyone on the same plan is even more critical when lacking labor, time or resources.”

More from Farm Journal’s PORK:

Proof That People Make All the Difference on Successful Pig Farms

It’s Time to Up Your Game

Don’t Let Pork Industry Careers Become Undesirable

Ag Leaders Urge Labor Reform in Historic Hearing of Judiciary Committee

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:55:28 GMT

U.S. agriculture is suffering from a labor shortage that could increase production costs and consumer food prices if not addressed through visa reform to provide better access to the foreign-born workers on which it depends, explained National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) President Jen Sorenson before the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, “Immigrant Farmworkers are Essential to Feeding America” on Wednesday.

“During this pandemic we’ve all been forced to face the reality that our food supply chain depends, to a great extent, on the labor of immigrants. In every step of the food production process, from the moment a crop is planted to the moment our grocery bags are handed to us, there’s an immigrant worker who plays a critical role in feeding our families. Their work is essential and it’s never easy,” said Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), chair of the Judiciary Committee.

(Farm Journal)

Historic Testimony
For the first time in over 20 years, the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture testified before the Judiciary Committee on the importance of farmworkers in the U.S. Vilsack said there is an estimated 2.5 million farmworkers, half of whom are undocumented.

“Our immigration system does not work for them and, thus, does not work for our farmers. As Secretary of Agriculture, I have met farmers and ranchers across the country who worry that our immigration system is broken and continually feel the consequences. They struggle with the uncertainty of the labor force from harvest to harvest, worrying they will be unable to find farmworkers to keep them in business. This kind of instability jeopardizes our farmers’ ability to be competitive, puts in question the security of our food supply and has repercussions on our overall economy,” U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said.

He described a discussion where the New York Farm Bureau president and a Vegetable Grower Association representative in New York shared they put out an advertisement for additional farmworkers and they didn’t get a single response.

“Not a single person responded to the ad for additional opportunities to work in this industry. It is clear this industry is dependent on immigrant workers. There are numerous examples of situations where requests were made for U.S. workers to work in these jobs and there was very little response if any,” Vilsack said.

This is a reoccurring story, Vilsack added. It’s replayed every day in packing plants, in fields and on farms.

“Immigrant labor comes in and does the difficult, challenging work that the rest of us are not interested in doing,” he said. “They do it well and they have the notion of being able to supply opportunity for a better life for their family. They care deeply for their family, sacrificing, working hard to make sure their families have a better life. We need to figure out something that allows them to have this connection with their family that the rest of us have every day.”

(Farm Journal)

Stop Kicking the Can Down the Road
Vilsack applauded grower groups and unions for coming together and reaching a compromise and supporting the bipartisan Farm Workforce Modernization Act of 2021, which passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives on March 18 with a vote of 247-174.

“This legislation provides farmworkers – many of whom have lived in this country for years – an opportunity to earn citizenship,” Vilsack said. “With legal status and a path to citizenship, farmworkers would be able to earn higher wages and exercise their rights under our labor laws to demand better working conditions.”

Shay Myers, a vegetable grower in Oregon, testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee and strongly urged action on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which he said must include Green cards for those who keep America fed and consistent access to labor for farmers through H-2A visas.

“Let’s be honest with ourselves, the last 36 years of policies and political failures have led us here. Now is the time to act. It’s not ethical, it’s not economically viable and it’s not safe to kick this can down the road yet again,” Myers said. “I urge USCIS to process H-2A petitions much faster to meet the needs of farmers, and I urge Congress to reform the H-2A and H-2B visas to better serve our food supply chain.”

(Farm Journal)

Year-Round Access to H-2A Visa Program
U.S. pork production is a year-round effort, requiring a hardworking and dedicated workforce on farms and in processing plants.

“Pork producers offer jobs with good pay and benefits, but most Americans do not live near hog farms or harvest facilities and rural populations continue to decline, causing the U.S. pork industry to be largely dependent on foreign-born workers,” Sorenson explained.

“Current visa programs designed for seasonal agriculture — such as the H-2A visa — fail to meet the workforce needs of U.S. pork producers and other year-round livestock farmers. Now more than ever, we need a dedicated, year-round workforce,” Sorenson told the committee.

If not addressed, she said the labor shortage “could lead to farms and packing plants shutting down, causing serious financial harm to the communities in which they operate. As a result, pork production would be constrained, leading to higher food prices for consumers and the United States becoming an unreliable trading partner for the many countries around the world that rely on our pork.”

NPPC is advocating for year-round access to the H-2A visa program without a cap. Legislation passed earlier this year in the U.S. House would offer a capped number of year-round visas.

“While NPPC believes the bill is a step in the right direction, a cap will force different sectors of livestock agriculture to compete against one another for the same limited number of year-round visas. In that scenario, no one wins and, ultimately, the consumer will be punished with reduced pork supplies and higher prices at the store,” Sorenson testified.

Read More:

Ag Labor Reform Hearing to Address H-2A Visa Program

One-Fifth of President’s Recent Executive Order Impacts Agriculture, Draws Mixed Reaction from Farm Groups

NPPC Calls for Labor Reform, Seeks Changes to H-2A Visa Program

New H2A Wage Rule Ensures More Stability for Farmers

How to Recognize the Warning Signs of Stress and Deal with Hard Times in Farming

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:54:03 GMT

From epidemic illnesses impacting pigs to falling commodity prices to increasing farm debt load, many factors cause stress among pig farmers today. Find out how to recognize the warning signs of stress, practical ways to deal with tough times and 3 tips to get your health on track in Farm Journal’s PORK’s new e-book, “ Your Guide to Mental Health .”

As National Mental Health Awareness Month draws to a close, check out these 10 articles that tackle mental health and suicide awareness to help reduce the stigma so many experience.

10. Alleviate Stress on the Farm with These 5 Steps

Life on the farm is unpredictable at best – especially when many factors impacting your day are out of your control. Here’s why it is important to be proactive when it comes to farm management.

9. Why Mental Health Matters on the Farm

A little bit better is a little bit better, said Ted Matthews, director of Minnesota Rural Mental Health. Matthews dispels myths about mental health, counseling and anxiety on the farm.

8. Break the Stigma: It Starts With You and Me

What would it look like for suicide to be a topic we don’t avert our eyes to? I think it starts with understanding and a willingness to break the stigma.

7. By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

Maddison Caldwell woke up on Dec. 19, 2019, with a plan for the ultimate act of finality. Death by her own hand. For those who know Maddison, it’s difficult to understand why she attempted suicide. But a young girl with limited vision could see no other options. Here’s her story.

6. Breaking Taboo: Parent’s Worst Nightmare, Child’s Near-Fatal Decision

Early mornings and late nights on the farm have provided Todd and Kim Caldwell with the unique opportunity to spend quality time with their children. The extra work required to raise and show livestock keeps the family of five busy together. That’s why Kim Caldwell was caught completely off guard when her oldest daughter, Maddison, attempted suicide on Dec. 19, 2019. “We felt like we were spending all this time with our kids and yet we were missing something with Maddison,” Kim says.

5. Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?

“Suck it up buttercup.” This familiar phrase is one many farmers and ranchers learn early in life: be tough, self-reliant and resilient. Although those aren’t bad traits, Shannon Ferrell, an ag law specialist at Oklahoma State University, said that line of thinking can cause us to become inward-facing and discourages us to talk about our feelings.

4. Connect With Farmers In-Person On Mental Health

When it comes to mental health information, a new study shows farmers want to receive information face-to-face from their innermost circle. Limited access to mental health care in rural areas often makes it challenging for farmers coping with stress and uncertainty due to economic and environmental conditions.

3. Simple, Daily Habits to Help Manage Stress

Health is the most important asset for any operation, says Sean Brotherson, an Extension specialist at North Dakota State University. He shares a few ways to prioritize your health, especially in times of crisis.

2. 7 Tips to Help You In Tough Times

Here are some ideas, tips and strategies that can help you turn lemon days into lemonade.

1. When Your Trampoline Breaks: Avoid Isolation

Trampolines are like your friends during a crisis, says Sean Brotherson, an Extension family life specialist at North Dakota State University. “If you’ve ever bounced on a trampoline, you know it will catch you and bounce you back up. That’s what supportive relationships are like in our lives,” Brotherson says.

Click here to download the eBook.

You can find online resources on how to prevent suicide from the Centers for Disease Control website or by calling the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255.