Farmers face challenges during pandemic (4-14-20)

Farmers face challenges during pandemic (4-14-20)

Just like all industry and business, farmers across the coutnry are also facing the many challenges caused by the coronavirus food processing plants are closing down and there's a shortage of workers in other areas....leaving many questions for what is to happen next... here's kq2's danielle sachse <<<one of the biggest challenges involving the coronavirus is the closing of food productions.farm plants across the country are shutting down because employees are attracting the virus.blake hurst, president of missorui farm bureau ("we've got to continue to operate those processing plants in order to keep those supply chains full.")recently shut down is the smithfield plant in south dakota which had around 300 employees that tested postive for covid-19, forcing the plant to shutdown blake hurst, president of missorui farm bureau ("people on processing lines at meat plants, particulary pork and beef, getting ill with the coronavirus slowing down the lines and several plants have closed in the last couple of days, and that is a very very real concern.")a hiccup in meat supplies may hit the grocery stores soon,but on the other hand, farmers are having to get rid of food...and this brings up the question...why?

Blake hurst, president of missorui farm bureau ("quite a few farmers in missouri have been required by their co-op, customer to dump milk.")the cause is that the products sold for restaurants and schools are packaged differently and can't be sold in stores.blake hurst, president of missorui farm bureau ("so those processing lines have shut down and there's no place for that milk to go...it's a mess")farmers are struggling during this difficult time, but are doing everything in their power to push throughblake hurst, president of missorui farm bureau ("we're working together and people are paying attention to social distancing and really are changing hte way they do business and we'll make it through.

But it is a pretty scary time right now.") reporting in st.

Joe, danielle sachse, kq2 news>>> missouri governor mike