The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) this week released industry-specific interim guidance aimed at further protecting our nation’s essential poultry processing workforce.

WASHINGTON — US Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue assured Americans that the food supply is “strong, resilient and safe” during an April 15 White House press conference.

Four thousand people in the Fort Smith region now have chicken dinners for themselves and their families.

Arkansas Myriad, Inc., a Fayetteville, AR mechanical contractor and manufacturing company for the food processing sector, announced they are providing temporary appreciation pay to their “essential” direct labor team members. Depending on which division they work for, eligible employees will receive $2-$3 extra for every hour worked through the month of April.

Washington, D.C. – “These are certainly trying and unprecedented times, and chicken processors are doing everything they can to 1) keep their employees safe and 2) work to keep chicken on the shelves - in that order,” said National Chicken Council President Mike Brown. “Our members are following all of the CDC and local health department guidelines, and many have consulted with infectious disease physicians to develop site plans.”

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) announced it will pay approximately $60 million in “thank you” bonuses to 116,000 frontline workers and Tyson truckers in the U.S. who support the company’s operations every day to provide food during the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible team members will receive a $500 bonus, payable during the first week of July. The bonuses are in addition to other company-announced efforts to support workers, plant communities and livestock producers during the global pandemic.

Late last week, the Department of Homeland Security designated food and agriculture one of 16 critical sectors in the midst of the coronavirus crisis, and said that workers in those industries should stay on the job.

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Adisseo, a France-based company and a world leader in animal nutrition, has endowed a professorship and funded three poultry science research projects for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

When Jayson Penn graduated from Florida State Univ., there was little doubt that his career would be in the poultry industry. In fact, he is the 4th generation of his family to work in the industry.

Silvateam is on the move in the U.S., introducing its Silvafeed^® brand, a range of selected plant extracts rich in bioactive substances. With the aim of supporting promotion, commercial presence and technical support, the Company is pleased to announce that Mr. Benny McClure has recently joined its staff as Commercial Director of Poultry for the United States.