Agricultural News
Letter from Ag Secretary Blayne Arthur Encouraging Markets and Producers to Keep Moving
Mon, 23 Mar 2020 11:51:28 CDTAgriculture Secretary Blayne Arthur has written the following letter to the livestock markets and producers encouraging them to keep agriculture commerce moving by continuing operating, while adhering to slight modifications and suggestions by the CDC to keep everyone safe and healthy.
March 23, 2020
Livestock market operators and producers,
As the worry and fear has spread across our state and nation and has caused a cancelation of almost every event, I, along with our Governor, understand that agriculture doesn't stop and we are working to keep agriculture commerce moving. I encourage markets to continue operating and producers to continue to fuel these sales, while adhering to slight modifications and suggestions by the CDC to keep everyone safe and healthy.
This is a primary time for income for the livestock business and livestock auction markets are an integral part of Oklahoma agriculture you all are key for true price discovery. We ask that while these times are unprecedented and the word 'challenging' is an understatement, you continue to operate while taking precautions to mitigate the risk of COVID-19.
Attached to this letter, you will find a one-page guideline sheet on recommended practices for your sales. Please print these flyers and post them throughout your facility for your guests to read.
We suggest implementing the following practices at your production sale:
• Hand washing stations and hand sanitizers
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth
• Stay home when you are sick
• Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects special attention to frequently utilized areas
• Keeping human numbers in the auction barn to a minimum
• Advise customers to view the auctions online
• Customers can make arrangements to pick up checks in the parking lot if they can't wait for the mail
• For food services, consider boxed-type meals and individually packaged items
Tough times don't last, but tough people do. Farmers, ranchers and agriculturists of all kinds are tough people. We will get through the weather, a pandemic and difficult market conditions, but it will be much easier with your help by continuing your essential role in our industry.
As always, if you have questions or concerns, reach out to me at blayne.arthur@ag.ok.gov.
Respectfully,
Blayne Arthur
Oklahoma Secretary of Agriculture
Click below to read the PDF on Imporant Information for livestock Markets and Coronavirus-COVID19.
00081_Livestock_Sales_and_COVID19_FINAL.pdf
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