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WingTips | eNewsletter for MTGA Members |
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Bend, Don't Break |
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Learn about the work being done to help farmers and others in agriculture through difficult times. MN Farm Stress |
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In this Issue: |
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Advertise with MTGA! Looking to amplify your voice? Advertise with MTGA! Options in the bi-monthly printed magazine, Gobbles, and bi-weekly e-newsletter, WingTips. Contact Peter Scharpe for details at pscharpe@minnesotaturkey.com or 763-682-2171. |
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Classifieds |
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Worth The Read |
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Is Turkey on Your Menu? |
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Focus on Ag |
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This column features timely information on crop and livestock production, farm management and marketing, ag policy, renewable energy, and other timely ag topics. The column is written by Kent Thiesse, Farm Management Analyst.
Column for: November January 8, 2024 |
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Turkey Market Reports: January 5, 2024 |
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Calendar |
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Public Outreach & Engagement Committee Date: January 16, 11:00 am Location: Zoom, contact Peter Scharpe
Member Engagement Committee Meeting Date: January 18, 10:00 am Location: Zoom, contact Brandon Severns
NTF 2024 Annual Convention Date: February 21-24 Location: Austin, Texas
Poultry Day at the Capitol Date: March 12th Location: St. Paul
PEAK Date: April 17-19 Location: Minneapolis |
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Now is the time to review biosecurity plans, refresh biosecurity training, and take other necessary preparations to protect your flock(s)! The below websites have an abundance of HPAI resources available to the industry. Looking for additional information on HPAI? Contact MTGA staff at info@minnesotaturkey.com or 763-682-2171. |
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We are here to help! 763-682-2171
Ashley Kohls Executive Director
Peter Scharpe Program Director
Jodi Ronnie Business Director
Brandon Severns Outreach & Member Services Coordinator |
World Organization of Animal Health releases new policy on HPAI vaccines and trade |
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Avian influenza continues to be a global problem, claiming over 500 million birds since 2005. Recent evolutions within virus have changed the nature of the disease, the areas it has spread to and the impact it is having on wild bird populations. Up to this point, the main control method has been depopulation of infected flocks, restricted travel within infected zones and strict adherence to biosecurity measures. As of now, vaccination strategies remain off the table as global trading partners will close their doors to imports.
France has been one of the first nations to implement a vaccination program for HPAI in commercial duck farms. As a result, other nations, the United States included, have barred poultry imports from France.
The concern is that a vaccinated flock could be infected and not show significant physical signs of illness. Meaning, the producer would be unaware of an active infection and other countries fear bringing more virus within their borders.
That being said, more and more countries are considering vaccines as a HPAI control method, and the World Organization for Animal Health has recently come out in favor of HPAI vaccine protocols. In a new policy brief, the WOAH has stated vaccination, when conducted properly with science-based protocols, should not be a barrier to global trade.
At the initial outbreak of avian influenza, the disease traditionally impacted domestic poultry and control methods were focused on the farm level. As the disease has evolved, wild bird populations are now impacted making it harder to control.
WOAH encourages the use of vaccines as an added tool to controlling HPAI. Advantages of vaccination may include prevention and control of outbreaks, reduced economic losses, and minimized environmental impacts. |
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Employee or independent contractor, final rule issued by U.S. Department of Labor |
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The U.S. Department of Labor has rescinded the 2021 Independent Contractor Rule and revised the guidance on how to determine if a position can be considered an employee or independent contractor. The final rule, Employee or Independent Contractor Classification under the Fair Labor Standards Act was announced January 9th, 2024, and will go into effect on March 11th, 2024.
The Department of Labor determined that the previous Independent Contractor Rule did not align with longstanding case law and interpretations used by Judges. The goal is to reduce the risk that employees will be misclassified as independent contractors and be denied certain benefits employees are entitled to.
The new rule applies six factors to use when analyzing an employee or independent contractor status. Those factors are 1) opportunity for profit or loss depending on managerial skill 2) investments by the worker and the potential employer 3) degree of permanence of the work relationship 4) nature and degree of control 5) extent to which work performed is an integral part of the potential employer’s business and 6) skill and initiative.
The full, published rule goes into more detail as to how each factor is applied to the analysis. No single factor or set of factors is given a predetermined weight.
The previous 2021 rule gave certain factors predetermined weight. For example, control and opportunity for profit or loss were given greater weight in the analysis. The rule also prohibited taking into consideration the importance of the work being performed by the employee or independent contractor to the sustainability of the business.
It is important to note that this rule only changes how the Department of Labor interprets employee versus independent contractor under the FLSA. It does not affect other local, state, and federal laws that may have different standards for classifying workers.
The state of Minnesota considers several factors when determining employment, but those factors fit into three main categories: behavioral control, financial control, and relationship of the parties. The Minnesota Department of Revenue provides detailed information regarding these factors on their Withholding Fact Sheet 8. |
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Ranelius Scholarship Applications Open! |
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Minnesota Turkey is proud to once again offer the Ranelius Scholarship. Named for a founding member of the MTGA and the MTRPC, this scholarship is a partnership between the two organizations. A total of $3,000 is awarded to worthy candidates.
Students that plan to enroll in a post-secondary education institution for fall 2024 semester are eligible to apply. That includes high school seniors, graduates and students currently enrolled in a college or university.
The goal of this scholarship is to encourage students to explore education paths that would benefit them should they pursue a career in the turkey industry. Preference is given to students actively pursuing a turkey related career.
The online application reviews an applicants scholastic record and their plans for the future. Applicants are also asked to submit a letter of recommendation and describe their extracurricular activities.
The final part of the application is a short (one page) essay discussing a topic important to the turkey industry. This year, applicants are being asked to outline an example of an innovative way the turkey industry can increase the demand for turkey.
Applications are due March 1st, 2024. The winners will be announced during the 2024 Summer Summit in Alexandria. |
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Connect with MTGA |
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Minnesota Turkey Growers Association, 108 Marty Drive, Suite 1, Buffalo, MN 55313 |