MOLINE, Ill. (AP) — More than 10,000 striking Deere &amp; Co. workers were voting Wednesday on a new contract offer from the tractor maker, but this third deal is strikingly similar to a contract that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-strikes-united-auto-workers-7124f0d5f729c0a722e62c87c94fc14a">55% of workers rejected</a>&nbsp;two weeks ago.

The latest proposed contract maintains the 10% immediate raises that the last deal offered, and it makes what the United Auto Workers union called modest changes to the details of Deere’s internal incentive pay program for workers.

After the last vote on Nov. 2, Deere officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-strikes-united-auto-workers-4cb8e7fca37836ee7eb4482392615c35">told the union</a>&nbsp;not to expect the company to offer any more money, and Deere largely stuck to that promise in this latest offer.

In addition to the initial raises, this week’s offer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-illinois-moline-united-auto-workers-7e85b3d6aa34955f7c0be633e201c87f">keeps the 5% raises</a>&nbsp;that were in the third and fifth years of the six-year deal and 3% lump sum payments in the second, fourth and sixth years of the deal. The offer would also provide an $8,500 ratification bonus, preserve a pension option for new employees, make workers eligible for health insurance sooner and maintain their no-premium health insurance coverage.

The contract covers 12 plants in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas where the company’s iconic green John Deere agricultural and construction equipment is made.

What Moline, Illinois-based Deere did in this latest offer, which it is calling its final one, was tweak the complicated formula it uses to determine which workers receive bonuses based on whether their team hits certain productivity goals. The changes in the formula could make it easier for workers to qualify for the incentive pay, but there are some Deere workers who aren’t eligible for the bonuses based on the job they do in the company’s factories and warehouses.

The workers who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-united-auto-workers-moline-strikes-447c2d911c1314c247011522e30f9bd2">went on strike&nbsp;</a>on Oct. 14 have been holding out for more from Deere, which has predicted it will report record annual profits between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion when it releases its earnings report later this month. Initially, more than 90% of the workers rejected Deere’s initial offer, but the second vote was much closer after the company essentially doubled the raises it was offering.

Deere workers have had to endure increasingly colder temperatures along the picket lines while trying to get by on the union’s $275 in weekly strike pay or by finding another job.

Company officials have said they are using salaried employees and other workers to try and keep their factories operating during the strike. Other Deere plants globally are also working to pick up work.

Still, Deere workers — and other unions — have been emboldened to ask for more this year because of the ongoing worker shortages and because workers didn’t always feel appreciated while working long hours during the pandemic.

Another group of UAW-represented workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-strikes-17c318d1250ebfca9f597c5601af820b">went on strike earlier this year</a>&nbsp;at a Volvo Trucks plant in Virginia and secured better pay and lower-cost health benefits after rejecting three tentative contract offers. Currently, about 1,400 Kellogg’s workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelloggs-cereal-plants-strike-d9185eb8fa9054d34a078063c3db6c33">have been on strike since early last month</a>&nbsp;at the company’s four U.S. cereal plants.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2021/10/1634596496067.png" alt="The strike began Oct. 14 -Photo courtesy WQAD TV" />
 <figcaption>The strike began Oct. 14 -Photo courtesy WQAD TV</figcaption>
 </figure>MOLINE, Ill. (AP) — More than 10,000 striking Deere &amp; Co. workers were voting Wednesday on a new contract offer from the tractor maker, but this third deal is strikingly similar to a contract that&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-health-strikes-united-auto-workers-7124f0d5f729c0a722e62c87c94fc14a">55% of workers rejected</a>&nbsp;two weeks ago.The latest proposed contract maintains the 10% immediate raises that the last deal offered, and it makes what the United Auto Workers union called modest changes to the details of Deere’s internal incentive pay program for workers.After the last vote on Nov. 2, Deere officials&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-strikes-united-auto-workers-4cb8e7fca37836ee7eb4482392615c35">told the union</a>&nbsp;not to expect the company to offer any more money, and Deere largely stuck to that promise in this latest offer.In addition to the initial raises, this week’s offer&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-illinois-moline-united-auto-workers-7e85b3d6aa34955f7c0be633e201c87f">keeps the 5% raises</a>&nbsp;that were in the third and fifth years of the six-year deal and 3% lump sum payments in the second, fourth and sixth years of the deal. The offer would also provide an $8,500 ratification bonus, preserve a pension option for new employees, make workers eligible for health insurance sooner and maintain their no-premium health insurance coverage.The contract covers 12 plants in Iowa, Illinois and Kansas where the company’s iconic green John Deere agricultural and construction equipment is made.What Moline, Illinois-based Deere did in this latest offer, which it is calling its final one, was tweak the complicated formula it uses to determine which workers receive bonuses based on whether their team hits certain productivity goals. The changes in the formula could make it easier for workers to qualify for the incentive pay, but there are some Deere workers who aren’t eligible for the bonuses based on the job they do in the company’s factories and warehouses.The workers who&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-united-auto-workers-moline-strikes-447c2d911c1314c247011522e30f9bd2">went on strike&nbsp;</a>on Oct. 14 have been holding out for more from Deere, which has predicted it will report record annual profits between $5.7 billion and $5.9 billion when it releases its earnings report later this month. Initially, more than 90% of the workers rejected Deere’s initial offer, but the second vote was much closer after the company essentially doubled the raises it was offering.Deere workers have had to endure increasingly colder temperatures along the picket lines while trying to get by on the union’s $275 in weekly strike pay or by finding another job.Company officials have said they are using salaried employees and other workers to try and keep their factories operating during the strike. Other Deere plants globally are also working to pick up work.Still, Deere workers — and other unions — have been emboldened to ask for more this year because of the ongoing worker shortages and because workers didn’t always feel appreciated while working long hours during the pandemic.Another group of UAW-represented workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-strikes-17c318d1250ebfca9f597c5601af820b">went on strike earlier this year</a>&nbsp;at a Volvo Trucks plant in Virginia and secured better pay and lower-cost health benefits after rejecting three tentative contract offers. Currently, about 1,400 Kellogg’s workers&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/kelloggs-cereal-plants-strike-d9185eb8fa9054d34a078063c3db6c33">have been on strike since early last month</a>&nbsp;at the company’s four U.S. cereal plants.

Striking John Deere workers vote on 3rd contract offer

WASHINGTON, D.C.– President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP, which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. 

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?472280-1/president-trump-remarks-food-supply#">Click here to watch</a> the White House Press conference.

In addition to this direct support to farmers and ranchers, USDA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box" target="_blank">Farmers to Families Food Box</a>&nbsp;program is partnering with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat and deliver boxes to Americans in need.

Producers should&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/cfap">click here</a>&nbsp;to view details and to sign up for the program.

“I thank President Trump and Secretary Perdue for their efforts to help our farmers, ranchers, and growers manage their operations during these unprecedented times,” said Kansas Senator Pat Roberts.&nbsp;“I encourage producers to contact their local FSA office to enroll in the program.”

“I will visit with President Trump later today to continue delivering messages from farm country, and we will continue working to make sure our producers have the tools they need during the COVID-19 emergency and beyond.”

“America’s farming community is facing an unprecedented situation as our nation tackles the coronavirus. President Trump has authorized USDA to ensure our patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers are supported and we are moving quickly to open applications to get payments out the door and into the pockets of farmers,” said Secretary Perdue. 

“These payments will help keep farmers afloat while market demand returns as our nation reopens and recovers. America’s farmers are resilient and will get through this challenge just like they always do with faith, hard work, and determination.”

USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept CFAP applications May 26 – August 28, 2020. Producers should&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/cfap">click here</a>&nbsp;to view details and to sign up for the program.

Congress authorized a portion of the funding for CFAP in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was a unanimous vote in the U.S. Senate. President Trump signed the CARES Act into law on March 27. The CARES Act included $9.5 billion in funds to assist agricultural producers, as well as additional resources to partially replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation. Additionally, Congress provided flexibility for the Secretary of Agriculture to purchase commodities for emergency distribution in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/5/1589910894677.png" alt="<a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?ivankatrump">President Trump&nbsp;</a>met with ranchers and farmers in the Roosevelt Room of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/organization/?929/White">White House</a>&nbsp;to talk about maintaining the nation’s food supply during the pandemic. Other participants included Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/organization/?929/White">White House</a>&nbsp;adviser Ivanka Trump-photo courtesy White House" />
 <figcaption><a href="https://www.c-span.org/person/?ivankatrump">President Trump&nbsp;</a>met with ranchers and farmers in the Roosevelt Room of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/organization/?929/White">White House</a>&nbsp;to talk about maintaining the nation’s food supply during the pandemic. Other participants included Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/organization/?929/White">White House</a>&nbsp;adviser Ivanka Trump-photo courtesy White House</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON, D.C.– President Trump and U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced details of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP, which will provide up to $16 billion in direct payments to deliver relief to America’s farmers and ranchers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. <a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?472280-1/president-trump-remarks-food-supply#">Click here to watch</a> the White House Press conference.In addition to this direct support to farmers and ranchers, USDA’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food-to-usda/farmers-to-families-food-box" target="_blank">Farmers to Families Food Box</a>&nbsp;program is partnering with regional and local distributors, whose workforces have been significantly impacted by the closure of many restaurants, hotels, and other food service entities, to purchase $3 billion in fresh produce, dairy, and meat and deliver boxes to Americans in need.Producers should&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/cfap">click here</a>&nbsp;to view details and to sign up for the program.“I thank President Trump and Secretary Perdue for their efforts to help our farmers, ranchers, and growers manage their operations during these unprecedented times,” said Kansas Senator Pat Roberts.&nbsp;“I encourage producers to contact their local FSA office to enroll in the program.”“I will visit with President Trump later today to continue delivering messages from farm country, and we will continue working to make sure our producers have the tools they need during the COVID-19 emergency and beyond.”“America’s farming community is facing an unprecedented situation as our nation tackles the coronavirus. President Trump has authorized USDA to ensure our patriotic farmers, ranchers, and producers are supported and we are moving quickly to open applications to get payments out the door and into the pockets of farmers,” said Secretary Perdue. “These payments will help keep farmers afloat while market demand returns as our nation reopens and recovers. America’s farmers are resilient and will get through this challenge just like they always do with faith, hard work, and determination.”USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) will accept CFAP applications May 26 – August 28, 2020. Producers should&nbsp;<a href="https://www.farmers.gov/cfap">click here</a>&nbsp;to view details and to sign up for the program.Congress authorized a portion of the funding for CFAP in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which was a unanimous vote in the U.S. Senate. President Trump signed the CARES Act into law on March 27. The CARES Act included $9.5 billion in funds to assist agricultural producers, as well as additional resources to partially replenish the Commodity Credit Corporation. Additionally, Congress provided flexibility for the Secretary of Agriculture to purchase commodities for emergency distribution in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.

🎥 USDA takes action to support farmers, ranchers and growers

The ethanol industry is in an economic free-fall as fuel demand drops because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Governments around the world are urging or requiring their citizens to stay home as a means to help control the spread of the coronavirus. 

The Capital-Journal says as more and more individuals stay home, the demand for ethanol-blended gasoline continues to drop. The pandemic hit the ethanol industry at a time when it was already struggling because of poor market conditions. 

The industry had already endured a trade war with China, a glut of oil production that sent ethanol prices tumbling, as well as waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency that helped refineries use less ethanol. 

“The important context here is that a lot of the ethanol industry was hanging on by a string before the coronavirus hit,” says Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol. 

“We’re seeing unprecedented demand destruction and 2020 is likely going to be a bloodbath for the industry.” The market upheaval has put thousands of ethanol jobs in jeopardy. 

It’s also hurt the pocketbooks of the tens of thousands of farmers who provide the corn that ethanol plants use to make the biofuel and its byproducts like dried distillers grains. The per-gallon price paid to ethanol producers dropped 37 percent from February to March.

The ethanol industry is in an economic free-fall as fuel demand drops because of the COVID-19 outbreak. Governments around the world are urging or requiring their citizens to stay home as a means to help control the spread of the coronavirus. The Capital-Journal says as more and more individuals stay home, the demand for ethanol-blended gasoline continues to drop. The pandemic hit the ethanol industry at a time when it was already struggling because of poor market conditions. The industry had already endured a trade war with China, a glut of oil production that sent ethanol prices tumbling, as well as waivers from the Environmental Protection Agency that helped refineries use less ethanol. “The important context here is that a lot of the ethanol industry was hanging on by a string before the coronavirus hit,” says Brian Jennings, CEO of the American Coalition for Ethanol. “We’re seeing unprecedented demand destruction and 2020 is likely going to be a bloodbath for the industry.” The market upheaval has put thousands of ethanol jobs in jeopardy. It’s also hurt the pocketbooks of the tens of thousands of farmers who provide the corn that ethanol plants use to make the biofuel and its byproducts like dried distillers grains. The per-gallon price paid to ethanol producers dropped 37 percent from February to March.