Hog Industry News

New Leadership to Take on Key Animal Health Roles at USDA

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 19:23:03 GMT

USDA announced major leadership changes within the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Michael Watson, APHIS administrator, will retire at the end of January after decades of distinguished service, and Rosemary Sifford, deputy administrator for veterinary services and U.S. chief veterinary officer, has also retired from federal service after a similarly notable career.

Dedicated Public Servants

Watson’s notable career reflects his unwavering commitment to safeguarding U.S. agriculture, building strong partnerships with states and stakeholders and mentoring future leaders. Beginning his USDA career in 1994 as a plant pathologist with the Agricultural Research Service, he later held key leadership roles across multiple APHIS programs. APHIS says Watson consistently championed science-based policy, ensuring APHIS decisions were grounded in rigorous data and research to protect U.S. agriculture and maintain public trust. His legacy is one of collaboration, integrity and dedication to public service.

Sifford began her USDA career in 1997 as a Saul T. Wilson Scholar and held numerous roles across APHIS. Under her leadership and guidance, APHIS advanced major animal health efforts, including combatting highly pathogenic avian influenza — with unprecedented detections in dairy cattle — and strengthening preparedness and response for New World screwworm. APHIS says her direction ensured these efforts were grounded in science-based policy, supported by field-ready guidance, and delivered with transparent stakeholder engagement. A steadfast champion of practical, proven biosecurity, she worked hard to protect animal health nationwide.

“Dr. Watson and Dr. Sifford are dedicated public servants and we greatly appreciate their time at USDA, serving American farmers and ranchers, and protecting the national security of the U.S. I am so grateful for their extended service to support the Trump administration during such a critical time for American agriculture,” says U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins in a news release. “The team at APHIS plays a critical role in protecting our food supply from foreign pests like the New World screwworm, as well as fighting diseases like bird flu. I have the utmost confidence in Ms. Moore, Dr. Huddleston and Dr. Dijab in continuing this critical mission and defending American agriculture.”

New Leadership

Starting Feb. 1, Kelly Moore will serve as acting administrator. Moore is currently acting chief operating officer for USDA’s marketing and regulatory programs mission area, and acting deputy administrator of marketing and regulatory programs business services.

“She brings extensive operational leadership experience and results-driven management, including a strong foundation of discipline from her prior service in the U.S. Marine Corps,” APHIS reports. “Ms. Moore is highly adept at guiding organizations through periods of change and transition and driving efficiency, compliance and innovation at scale — critical to APHIS’s mission during this pivotal time.”

Effective immediately, Dr. Alan Huddleston will serve as acting U.S. chief veterinary officer. With deep expertise in epidemiology and program development, he will represent U.S. animal health priorities internationally and maintain strong engagement with states and industry.

(USDA APHIS)

Dudley Hoskins, under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs, says their leadership and commitment to collaboration strengthened APHIS and the nation’s animal and plant health systems.

“These are consequential changes at a pivotal moment for the agency, and I am confident that Ms. Moore, Dr. Huddleston, and Dr. Dijab will not only serve as steady hands for program continuity but will lead APHIS into a new era,” Hoskins says.

To ensure continuity during this transition, APHIS veterinary services associate deputy administrator Adis Dijab will continue to provide operational oversight of veterinary services.

“APHIS operations continue uninterrupted, guided by science-based policies, strong stakeholder engagement and experienced acting leaders to ensure program continuity,” APHIS reports. “APHIS remains steadfast in its mission to protect the health, welfare and value of our Nation’s plants, animals, and natural resources — continuing to deliver solutions and essential services that safeguard U.S. agriculture and support stakeholders nationwide.”

South Dakota Awards Reinvestment Grants to Sow Farms and Dairies

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 20:51:37 GMT

The South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), Board of Economic Development, and the Economic Development Finance Authority (EDFA) recently approved projects that are expected to contribute more than $176 million in capital expenditure and 175 full-time jobs across South Dakota.

“When businesses grow in our small towns, it creates a ripple effect that strengthens the whole community,” GOED Commissioner Bill Even said in a release . “Each of these projects represents a partnership between the state, local leaders, and business owners working together to move South Dakota forward.”

A Reinvestment Payment Program grant of up to $1.3 million was approved for Century Swine RE, LLC, under Pipestone Management, to support construction of a 12,000-head breed-to-wean sow farm in Edmunds County. GOED notes the new facility will raise piglets to be grown and marketed, creating local jobs and sourcing feed and utilities from nearby vendors.

Hord Family Farms of SD, LLC, under Pipestone Management, also received a Reinvestment Payment Program grant of up to $862,806 to support construction of an 8,773-head breed-to-wean sow farm in Miner County. The facility will enhance local agricultural output and create new employment opportunities in the region, GOED said in a release.

EDFA issued a Livestock Nutrient Management Bond of up to $12 million for Silverstreak Dairies, LLP and Warner Dairy, LLP to support solid waste disposal expenses associated with the expansion of the Warner Dairy project in Brown County. GOED says the expansion will accommodate approximately 5,100 head of wet milking cows and more than 300 head of dry cows and replacements.

A Reinvestment Payment Program grant of up to $1.99 million was approved for Whitewood Dairy, LLC to support development of a 9,500-head dairy facility in Kingsbury County. The project will include new barns and milking systems designed to improve efficiency, GOED says.

“These projects highlight what drives South Dakota’s economy – responsible growth in agriculture and manufacturing,” Governor Larry Rhoden said in a release. “Ag is king in South Dakota, and supporting producers, processors, and innovators keeps our state strong for generations to come.”

ADM, Alltech Unveil North American Animal Feed Joint Venture

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 13:32:30 GMT

ADM and Alltech have signed a definitive agreement to launch a North American animal feed joint venture, bringing together decades of experience and unparalleled capabilities to create new advantages for customers, the companies announced on Sept. 23.

“The first company name I can remember, besides our own, is ADM — a name I’ve heard since I was 3 years old, and likely even earlier,” Mark Lyons, president and CEO at Alltech, announced on LinkedIn . “My father’s very first order — and his second, for those who know the story of Alltech’s beginnings — came from ADM. That early vote of confidence helped shape our story. Over the decades, the relationship between our two companies has only grown stronger. We’ve long explored ways to partner more deeply, and now the time is right to align our passionate teams, proven products and shared values.”

Alltech will contribute its U.S.-based Hubbard Feeds and Canada-based Masterfeeds businesses, including 18 feed mills in the U.S and 15 in Canada, and ADM will contribute its 11 U.S. feed mills. The joint venture will be majority-owned by Alltech and governed by a board with equal representation from each parent company.

“This partnership combines the complementary strengths of our businesses — the expertise of our people, extensive manufacturing capabilities, trusted product portfolios and deep knowledge of nutrition science,” Lyons wrote. “Together, we are building something greater than the sum of its parts, with the shared goal of advancing animal nutrition and delivering our customers every advantage.”

As the animal nutrition industry continues to reshape itself to support a growing global population, Alltech and ADM will bring together passionate teams, proven products and shared values to ensure enhanced advantages for our customers, the companies said. They plan on evolving with purpose to offer an industry-leading range of products and solutions for livestock, equine, backyard and leisure animals.

“By joining forces, we can offer more than we ever could alone: broader capabilities, practical solutions and an uncompromising commitment to our customers’ success,” Lyons wrote. “This is a milestone moment — one that sets the stage for the continued growth of our North America feed business and enhances the advantage we can deliver to those we serve.”

The venture will be supported and strengthened by the parent companies’ leading-edge technology and R&D, broad logistical capabilities, and connections across the broader ag and feed value chains.

Alltech will retain its Ridley Block Operations, Ridley Feed Ingredients and Alltech specialty ingredients, although these business units will be partners and suppliers to the joint venture. ADM’s Canadian locations will remain with ADM, as will its U.S. premix and additive businesses, though those capabilities and products will help supply the new company.

The companies expect to complete the transaction and formally launch the joint venture in the first quarter of 2026.

Could EPA Decision Signal The Beginning Of The End For DEF?

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 16:27:17 GMT

Mike Berdo has strong words to describe his ongoing experiences using machinery requiring DEF ( Diesel Exhaust Fluid ) on his southeast Iowa farm.

“It has been an absolute nightmare, at least for us. Mechanics make trip after trip to do little stuff that’s very expensive to fix,” said Berdo, who produces grain and beef cattle near Washington. “We had planting delays last spring … little stuff that came from it and just seemed like [an issue to deal with] day after day.”

The ongoing mechanical issues and costs are why Berdo said he is “all for” EPA rescinding the 2009 Greenhouse Gas Endangerment Finding. The Finding has enabled the agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions under Section 202 of the Clean Air Act and, in recent years, and launch requirements such as the use of DEF systems in diesel-powered engines.

EPA Draws A Line In The Sand
On Tuesday, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin released a proposal to rescind the 2009 Finding.

If finalized, the proposal would remove all greenhouse gas standards for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and heavy-duty engines, EPA said in a follow-up press release .

The move would start with EPA’s first greenhouse gas standard set in 2010 for light-duty vehicles and those set in 2011 for medium-duty vehicles and heavy-duty vehicles and engines.

EPA said the proposal is expected to “save Americans $54 billion in costs annually through the repeal of all greenhouse gas standards, including the Biden EPA’s electric vehicle mandate, under conservative economic forecasts.”

Zeldin made the announcement to rescind the Finding in Indiana, alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and called it the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history.

What The Decision Could Mean To Farmers
Specific to U.S. farmers, the proposal could potentially result in DEF systems no longer being included on new tractors and other heavy equipment using diesel-powered engines, said Chip Flory, host of AgriTalk, during a Farmer Forum discussion on Wednesday.

South Dakota farmer Ryan Wagner told Flory he has a wait-and-see perspective on how or whether the EPA proposal goes into effect. He anticipates that reversing the Finding will take considerable time and effort for EPA to implement.

“It took a long time with the interim engines and things to get into full DEF in the first place,” Wagner said. “I don’t know how long it would take to unwind all that and how quickly manufacturing will just take those systems right off, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens.”

To Wagner’s point, here’s a brief look back at some timing showing when DEF rolled out in agriculture and nonroad equipment and became mandatory . The regulations were phased in over several years based on the type of equipment and engine size:

2008: DEF became required for all new diesel engines with engine sizes over 750 horsepower.

2011: the regulations expanded to include equipment with engine sizes between 175-750 horsepower.

By 2015, all new nonroad diesel engines were required to be Tier 4 compliant and utilize DEF, regardless of equipment type or engine size.

As Wagner considers DEF, he noted its use in diesel engines has provided him with one benefit: “On the plus side, I do like that they don’t make the walls of my shop black. That’s been nice,” he said. “You can run them inside for a short time and not not feel like you’re breathing in a bunch of soot and making everything black.”

Expect Legal Challenges To EPA Decision
A number of environmental groups have already blasted the move by EPA, saying it spells the end of the road for U.S. action against climate change, according to an online article by Reuters .

Legal challenges from various environmental groups, states and lawyers are likely ahead.

That fact wasn’t lost on Flory and the Farmer Forum participants during the AgriTalk discussion on Wednesday.

“If this proposal is finalized, it’s going to start a lot of conversations … and the dominoes are going to start to fall, something that we need to keep track of, no doubt,” Flory said. You can hear the complete Farmer Forum discussion on AgriTalk here:

EPA will initiate a public comment period to solicit input. Further information on the public comment process and instructions for participation will be published in the Federal Register and on the EPA website .

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HELP Act Seeks Relief for Livestock Haulers

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 15:26:58 GMT

The Hauling Exemptions for Livestock Protection (HELP) Act , HR 4500, was introduced July 17 and has been referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The HELP Act would allow truck drivers who haul livestock, insects and aquatic animals to be permanently exempt from Hours-of-Service (HOS) requirements in order to accommodate the unique and ever-changing needs of the live cargo they are carrying.

The bill builds on previous temporary exemptions given to livestock haulers during COVID.

“These provisions regulating livestock haulers have proven time and time again to be unnecessary and burdensome,” says Colorado Congressman Jeff Hurd in a press release . “Live animals have unique care needs and require flexibility to be safely transported along the supply chain. Frequent road closures and adverse weather makes this flexibility especially important in Colorado. The HELP Act provides this critical regulatory relief and allows haulers to continue delivering for our producers and food supply safely and effectively, as they’ve shown for over two years during the pandemic.”

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) announced its support of the legislation.

“When you are hauling cattle, you are dealing with livestock that must be protected from the elements and cannot be easily unloaded until you get to your destination. Livestock haulers need flexibility to complete their trips free from government mandates,” says NCBA policy division chair Skye Krebs, an Oregon rancher who hauls livestock and holds a commercial driver’s license. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, haulers and ranchers like me were granted additional flexibility on hours of service and electronic logging devices. In that time, we proved we could safely transport our livestock and also support the overall supply chain.”

The HELP Act codifies HOS and ELD exemptions that were issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) for about two years during the pandemic. Since then, America’s livestock haulers have been burdened by HOS rules again, but this legislation would reinstate permanent exemptions — providing the flexibility necessary to safely transport livestock.

“Anyone who has spent time around agriculture knows livestock require unique care and flexibility,” says Rep. Tracey Mann from Kansas, who joins Hurd in leading the legislation. “The Department of Transportation’s hours of service and electronic logging device rules fail to take that reality into account and puts unnecessary burdens on livestock, livestock haulers and the nation’s food supply chain as a whole. Our bill rolls back these burdensome regulations and gives our nation’s livestock haulers the flexibility they need to keep our food supply chain strong.”

Last week, FMCSA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced they are withdrawing a proposed rule to mandate speed limiters in trucks. This announcement was welcome news for livestock haulers, but HOS and ELD mandates continue to pose a threat to drivers.

Alltech ONE Conference Returns Home to Kentucky in 2026

Tue, 20 May 2025 17:56:58 GMT

After years of connecting virtually and exploring the world together through regional experiences, Alltech is excited to bring the ONE Conference back home to Lexington on May 18–20, 2026. With the theme “Together, bright becomes brilliant,” ONE 2026 will feature inspiring keynote speakers, dynamic tracks and workshops, and leading-edge insights from global leaders across agriculture, business, technology and sustainability.

“Over the last 40 years, Alltech has created a truly unique event, the only one of its kind, which many hail as the premier international agri-food event,” Mark Lyons, president and CEO of Alltech, said in a release. “ONE 2026 will again congregate thought and action leaders, scientists, food producers, entrepreneurs and storytellers in a spirit of open collaboration to explore what’s next for our industry — and our planet.”

The Alltech ONE Conference will return to Lexington, Kentucky on May 18–20, 2026.

(Alltech)

Alltech’s goal is to gather global thought leaders and innovators for an immersive exploration of the bold ideas shaping the future of agri-food.

“This event has brought tens of thousands of business leaders to the Bluegrass from almost 100 different countries over the years,” Lyons says. “The connections and conversations they have had here have led to new innovations, business ventures and the creation of a community that spans the globe. So many are making their plans to join us in 2026, and the buzz is already building.”

In 1985, Alltech held its first iteration of the conference in Lexington, welcoming guests from around the world to engage with experts on trending topics in agriculture. Since then, ONE has become a catalyst for inspiration, innovation and collaboration across the agriculture industry and beyond, the company says.

The conference was held in Lexington until 2023, when Alltech took the ideas and inspiration of ONE on the road to six countries and four continents as the Alltech ONE World Tour.

“I look forward to welcoming you to our hometown — to walk the halls of Rupp Arena with old friends and new allies, and to spark the ideas that will shape our shared future,” Lyons says. “There’s no place like home.”

Learn more here.

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Kersia to Buy Neogen's Global Cleaners and Disinfectants Business

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 22:08:58 GMT

Neogen Corporation announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its global cleaners and disinfectants business to Kersia Group for $130 million in cash at closing plus contingent consideration tied to the future performance of the business.

“The sale of our cleaners and disinfectants business further focuses Neogen on food safety diagnostics and continuing to build on our leadership position in what we believe is an attractive end market with long-term tailwinds,” John Adent, president and CEO of Neogen, said in a release.

“The transaction is expected to be accretive to margins and close in the first quarter of the company’s 2026 fiscal year, subject to regulatory approval and customary closing conditions,” Neogen said in a release.

With approximately $60 million of annual revenue, Neogen has a broad range of cleaners and disinfectants, the release says.

“Being used to such transactions and equipped with a dedicated process for a smooth and efficient integration, we are keen to appropriately welcome the collaborators within the business,” Sébastien Bossard, CEO of Kersia, said in a release. “I am convinced that their expertise and experience, as well as the wide range of products in the business, which perfectly complement our existing solutions, capabilities and skills, will be a key step in enabling Kersia to better serve its clients in the U.S. and abroad. Together, we will pursue our mission to ensure food safety across the food chain.”

Neogen’s disinfectant and cleaner products are formulated for use in a range of livestock applications, including swine, poultry and ruminant operations.

“The cleaners and disinfectants business has been a strong contributor to our Animal Safety segment and Neogen is committed to a smooth transition for customers, employees and other stakeholders,” Adent says. “We expect Kersia’s prioritization of investment and growth in the biosecurity market will benefit the business and provide sharpened strategic focus to maximize its potential for continued growth.”

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Elanco Launches Pradalex for Treatment of Livestock Respiratory Diseases

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 03:35:58 GMT

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated announced the availability of Pradalex (pradofloxacin injection) for the treatment of swine respiratory disease (SRD) and bovine respiratory disease (BRD).

The first new molecule and injectable antibiotic treatment to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat BRD and SRD in roughly two decades, Pradalex offers livestock producers a new tool in the toolbox.

“SRD is the most prevalent cause of nursery and grow-finish pig deaths in the U.S. creating substantial production and economic losses for producers and accounting for additional annual costs of up to $5 per pig,” the company said in a release. “In the cattle industry, BRD — or ‘shipping fever’ — is one of the most frequent and costly stocker and feedlot diseases, affecting the health and wellbeing of animals and potentially costing producers $1 billion annually.”

Available in 100 mL and 250 mL volumes, Pradalex is indicated for the treatment of BRD and SRD and kills major BRD and SRD bacteria, including Mannheimia haemolytica, Pasteurella multocida, Histophilus somni and Mycoplasma bovis in cattle and Bordetella bronchiseptica, Pasteurella multocida, Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, Glaesserella (Haemophilus) parasuis and Streptococcus suis in pigs.

“The launch of Pradalex further demonstrates Elanco’s commitment to bring new tools and innovations that help address some of our customers’ biggest challenges,” José Manuel Correia de Simas, executive vice president, U.S. farm animal at Elanco, said in a release. “Pradalex is a new molecule with a novel mode of action that treats respiratory diseases in beef and swine, strengthening our portfolio of solutions and providing veterinarians and producers with multiple choices to prevent and control respiratory challenges.”

The treatment is a convenient single-dose, low-volume antibiotic with “excellent syringeability and an industry-leading withdrawal period,” the company said in a release. Pradalex’s structural differences result in a dual targeting effect that yields improved potency compared to similar antibiotics, Elanco added.

Because Pradalex is rapidly absorbed and distributed at the injection site, it can reach a high and effective therapeutic concentration in plasma within 45 minutes of administration to cattle and a high maximum therapeutic concentration in cattle lung pulmonary epithelial lining fluid within six hours. The company explained this aids in the fast in-vitro elimination of bacteria and limits lung damage in both cattle and swine. Its pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic profile reduces the time needed to select resistant bacteria, contributing to judicious antibiotic use , Elanco said.

“Pradalex combines a high plasma peak concentration reached very quickly with a unique mode of action, resulting in comprehensive coverage of Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens,” Pat Hoffmann, Elanco swine technical consultant, said in a release. “It makes an exceptional option for a spot treatment injectable intervention.”

Pradalex is indicated for the treatment of:

SRD in weaned swine intended for harvest
BRD in beef cattle (calves two months of age and over, steers, heifers and bulls intended for slaughter and replacement heifers and bulls intended for breeding and less than one year of age)
BRD in dairy cattle (replacement heifers and bulls less than one year of age)

Pradalex should not be used in swine intended for breeding (boars intended for breeding, replacement gilts and sows intended for breeding) and in nursing piglets. Pradalex should also not be used in male and female cattle intended for breeding that are over one year of age, in calves under two months of age, or in veal calves.

“At Elanco, we focus on bringing producers a broad portfolio of solutions to support their disease prevention efforts, starting with vaccines and feed additives that optimize the health outcomes of calves,” Ronald Tessman, Elanco beef technical consultant, said in a release. “When antibiotics are necessary, Elanco has a full range to fit producers’ needs. Pradalex is our newest antibiotic and is truly different from any other product on the market, giving producers another valuable tool that can be used in an integrated approach to reducing losses due to BRD.”

Learn more at farmanimal.elanco.com/us/swine/product/pradalex and pradalexforcattle.com .

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Kids on the Farm: Don’t Take Your Eyes Off Safety

Fri, 27 Sep 2024 01:01:32 GMT

About every three days, a child dies in an agriculture-related incident, and each day, at least 33 children are injured. During the past decade, youth worker fatalities in agriculture have exceeded all other industries combined.

Although the rate of non-fatal injuries to children in agriculture has dropped since the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety was established in 1997, agriculture remains hazardous for children and youth, explained Barbara Lee, director of the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety .

“We’ve come a long way,” Lee told AgriTalk’s Chip Flory. “We had really good injury data for about 12 years, and it shows the rate of injuries declined by about 60%. The rate of fatalities of children dying in farm accidents has stayed fairly steady, however, despite the decline in the number of farms and number of kids on farms. I think the most revealing thing is that for both injuries and deaths, more than half of them occur to kids who are not working – they are just bystanders in the farm environment.”

Lee said this is where the industry needs to keep its focus.

“Certainly, we want to protect the kids who are working. We believe work is good for them, inherently valuable. For kids working in agriculture, it’s really important to match the child and the child’s characteristics with the work at hand,” Lee said.

But it’s also important to keep a close eye on kids who stop by the farm or find themselves part of the farming background.

Be on Watch

“We’re entering into a dangerous time of the year for farm families,” Flory said. He asked Lee to share some of the biggest safety concerns right now.

She said the greatest number of deaths for young people are related to accidents with tractors, skid steers, moving implements and other forms of transportation.

“It’s really important that we factor in the dangers and the ability of a child to really handle machinery. I always think about when things go wrong, will the child be able to handle it? Bad weather? Equipment failure? Is the child mature enough to handle when things go wrong?”

She also encouraged parents to remember to parents first and farmers second. She said that means adopting the principles of safety for all kids.

“I can’t state it often enough about the little ones who really should not be in the work environment,” Lee said. “When you’re working, you have got to focus on the work. With nearly every child who was injured or killed on a farm, there’s an adult nearby. It’s not they aren’t supervised, but farming can get complicate and little kids are unpredictable.”

Reflecting on 25 Years

On May 19, the center will celebrate its 25th anniversary with a free webinar. Speakers will include Lee, Marsha Salzwedel, project scientist and agricultural youth safety specialist at the National Children’s Center; Marilyn Adams, founder, Farm Safety 4 Just Kids; Dennis Murphy, professor emeritus, Penn State University; and Jana Davidson, program manager, Progressive Agriculture Foundation.

“This anniversary has really given us time to reflect back at how this all got started, what has changed in our work, and what’s changed in the workers and work environment for children. There’s a lot of good things happening and a few challenges still ahead of us,” Lee said.

Learn more and sign up for the free webinar.

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John Deere Introduces 326 P-Tier Compact Wheel Loader

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 15:39:03 GMT

John Deere announces the release of its new 326 P-Tier telescopic compact wheel loader. The 326 P-Tier telescopic compact wheel loader offers 16-plus feet of reach from its telescopic lift arm while still being compact enough to work in barns or other tight spaces.

“Operators will enjoy it for the cab visibility, the boom controls and the exclusive Articulation Plus steering system,” said Luke Gribble, John Deere go-to-market manager. “Put it all together, and the 326 P-Tier is a real multitool for the farm or ranch.”

To help guard against overloading, The Load Torque Indicator System gives visual and audible alarms if stability limits are exceeded during lifting, lowering or extension of the lift arm. In addition, a separate indicator warns of potential overload of the tilt cylinder.

“Features like these help make the 326 P-Tier an operator-friendly wheel loader for farmers and ranchers,” Gribble said. “And it is perfect for less-experienced operators.”

Inside the cab, operators will find a comfortable, easy-to-navigate environment. A 9-inch touchscreen display puts key information within easy view, and it shows key data such as warnings, status and machine-positioning information.

Conveniently placed electro-hydraulic controls offer Auto Return-to-Dig, and Auto Lift and Lower functions, and help to reduce cycle times. Optional boom-mounted lights and standard overhead window allow for a clear view to the end of the telescoping arm.

The new compact wheel loader also features a 23-mph top speed to help move quickly between jobs. And for tight turning in barns and other cramped spaces, its Articulation Plus steering system offers a full 30 degrees of articulation plus 10 additional degrees of rear-wheel steering.

To learn more about the new 326 P-Tier telescopic compact wheel loader, visit JohnDeere.com or contact your local John Deere dealer.

Employers Qualify for Tax Credit to Offset COVID-19 Paid Time Off

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:57:07 GMT

At this point in the pandemic, most employers have received a phone call that goes something like this. “Hi Boss, I was exposed to COVID-19. Do you want me to come in?” And in that moment, you run through 14,000 questions in your mind. Can we cover his or her schedule? Who had this person worked with before they knew they had been exposed? Can we afford to pay them for time spent at home? While those thoughts are going through your mind, your employee is worried about getting paid for required time off.

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) signed into law on March 18, 2020 provides that eligible employees are entitled to paid sick time because of COVID-19, and employers are eligible for a tax credit to offset the expense.

Who qualifies as an eligible employee, how much time do they get and at what rate? Under the FFCRA, employees are entitled to:

a. Up to 80 hours of paid sick leave at the employee’s regular rate of pay (up to a maximum of $511 per day) where the employee is unable to work because the employee is quarantined pursuant to government order, is advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine and/or experiencing COVID-19 symptoms and seeking a medical diagnosis; or

b. Up to 80 hours of paid sick leave at two-thirds the employee’s regular rate of pay (up to a maximum of $200 per day) because the employee must care for an individual subject to quarantine (pursuant to government order or advice of a health care provider), or to care for a child (under 18 years of age) whose school or child care provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19.

What is the tax credit for employers? The FFCRA provides eligible employers with payroll tax credits to cover 100% of the qualified sick leave wages and qualified family leave wages paid from April 1, 2020, through December 31, 2020.

The FFCRA payroll tax credit includes:

1) Qualified sick leave wages;

2) Qualified family wages;

3) Qualified health plan expenses; and

4) Medicare tax credit.

According to an advisory from tax accountancy CliftonLarsonAllen (CLA), qualified sick leave wages are wages an eligible employer is required to pay under FFCRA for paid sick leave. Qualified family leave wages are wages an eligible employer is required to pay under FFCRA for expanded family and medical leave.

The tax credits can be claimed three ways:

1. On the Form 941, Employer’s QUARTERLY Federal Tax Return;

2. Offsetting Federal employment tax deposits for the quarter (the employer must account for the reduction in deposits on the Form 941 for the quarter); or

3. Filing Form 7200, Advance Payment of Employer Credits Due to COVID-19.

CLA shares this example of how the claims process works.

Employer pays $15,000 in qualified sick leave wages and qualified family leave wages during the 3rd quarter of 2020. The employer is required to deposit $18,000 in Federal employment taxes (including taxes withheld from its employees) for the 3rd quarter of 2020. The employer may keep up to $15,000 of the $18,000 of taxes the employer was going to deposit but is required to deposit the remaining $3,000 on its required deposit date. The employer will account for the $15,000 when it files its Form 941 for the 3rd quarter of 2020.

For more information, including extended family and medical leave details included in the FFCRA contact your accountant.

Don’t Play Favorites with Your Farm Employees

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 00:54:57 GMT

Do you have one of those employees who you work with better than others? Maybe it’s their personality, familiarity or even their work ethic that plays to your strengths, and it can be tempting to latch on to what has been successful in the past. But is it possible you’re playing favorites with some of your team members?

According to Joel Garfinkle, author of “How to Be a Great Boss,” playing favorites leads to missed opportunities for you and your team. “You lose out on new perspectives, new ideas and unique problem-solving techniques. The [operation] can hardly benefit from the skills of staff that are never given the chance to shine, and staff that is never given a chance to shine may soon leave,” Garfinkle adds.

If you find yourself favoring some employees more than others, maybe it’s time for a more open-minded approach in order to grow as your farm’s leader. Consider breaking these five bad habits:

Going with who you know

Having familiar faces on the team can certainly feel comforting, but is it causing a rut in your team’s performance? According to Garfinkle, always relying on the same people may be causing your business to miss out on new ideas and fresh perspectives from other people.

“Balance your teams with a mix of old and new to keep both continuity and fresh perspectives flowing,” Garfinkle says.

Picking youth over experience (or vice versa)

“Some of us are drawn to the brightness and vitality of young members on the team. Whether we see a glimpse of our earlier selves in them, or we are simply energized by the vigor they bring to the table, it can seem natural to give extra focus and attention to foster and refine that youthful drive,” Garfinkle notes. “Similarly, it can seem logical to reward knowledge and experience, giving extra weight to the opinions of those who have been at the table the longest. Either way, it’s a missed opportunity to only consider the opinions of one group or the other, especially when neither side will always have the whole answer to a challenge.”

Instead of picking one over the other, Garfinkle recommends bringing everyone to the table and leveraging the power of both perspectives. “A great leader can combine both youth and experience to gain the best advantage,” he adds.

Having one “go-to” person for everything

Some farm employees just have a knack for getting things done the right way each and every time. Their consistent and reliable characteristics make them right for the job. But if the same person is always your “go-to” employee, how much growth is happening in others’ roles?

“Ask yourself if there really is only one right person for the task at hand, or whether there are others on your team who need the mentorship and opportunities you can offer,” Garfinkle notes. Make sure you provide opportunities for all of your team members on the path to greater responsibility.

Creating a hierarchy

Take a look at the structure of your team. Do some employees solely report to different managers, or do they feel comfortable with coming to you? While some hierarchy is helpful, don’t let it prevent you from seeing your team in action on a regular basis, Garfinkle notes.

“If only certain members feel it’s comfortable or appropriate to speak with you, you will be missing out on a lot of great ideas. Broaden the number of team members you interact with regularly – in both formal and informal settings,” he says.

Being stingy with trust

Do you find yourself having a hard time with only trusting a few key farm employees on your team? Maybe some team members have let you down in the past, or perhaps it feels safer to minimize the number of people with critical tasks or key information. According to Garfinkle, the problem with this approach is that those on the outside feel shut out and minimized, even when they’ve done nothing wrong.

“Bring your team together by keeping everyone ‘in the know,’” Garfinkle recommends. “Your team is more likely to trust you if you trust them in turn.”