COVID-19 Awareness and Preparedness of Minnesota and Wisconsin Dairy Farms

Yung, Mung Ting; Vázquez, RosaI Chela; Liebman, Amy K.; Brihn, Auguste; Olson, Anna; Loken, Delaney; Contreras-Smith, Ana; Bender, Jeffrey B.; Kirsch, John A. W.

doi:10.1080/1059924x.2021.1927925

Cited by 5 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Based on dairy producers, the 2 most common measures implemented were instructing employees to wash hands frequently and providing hand sanitizer. These measures align with the US Centers for Disease Control recommendations at the beginning of the pandemic and the implemented measures reported by Yung et al (2021). It is unclear if these measures were standard practices before the pandemic and were just re-emphasized at this time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

“…In our study, few dairies reported that they had confirmed or suspected COVID-19 cases on their premises. However, many dairy producers from Minnesota and Wisconsin reported COVID-19 cases in their facilities when interviewed in June and July of 2020 (Yung et al, 2021). The geographic differences between studies may have explained the disparity in the reported number of cases.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The geographic differences between studies may have explained the disparity in the reported number of cases. It is also possible that Yung et al (2021) were 2021) reported that respondents were concerned about the safety of their families, their employees, and their employees' families. In our study, small dairies had low concerns about the health risk of COVID-19; their nondependency on external labor and limited social interactions outside the family most likely explained this observation.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Face covering, a control measure first proposed by the US Centers for Disease Control on April 3, 2020, was only popular on medium-large and large dairies. Yung et al (2021) reported that 40% of dairy farms from Minnesota and Wisconsin implemented a face covering requirement, but only 14% enforced it. Likewise, 38% of dairy managers and workers reported that face coverings were required at work .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Based on the authors' field observations in their home states (CA, ID, SD, and WA), face coverings on dairies were enforced only occasionally. Arguments used against it were reported by Yung et al (2021) and included questioning their need in well-ventilated spaces and the discomfort in hot and humid weather. Social distancing, limiting employee gathering, and restricting visitors were biosecurity measures reported by most dairy producers, especially in medium-large and large dairies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Perspective of dairy producers from California, Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington: Health and business implications of the COVID-19 pandemic during the second wave

Valldecabres

Wenz

Ferreira

et al. 2022

Journal of Dairy Science

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The aim of this study was to document California, Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington dairy producers' perspectives on the health and business implications of COVID-19 during the pandemic second wave. Dairy producers were reached by a 14-question anonymous mail survey during June and July of 2020. We obtained 226 responses (response rate: 9.3% CA, 8.6% ID, 31.4%, and 10.0% WA). Responses were grouped by state (CA: 48.7%, ID: 15.9%, SD: 21.7%, or WA: 13.7%) and dairy size [based on number of cows; small (<100): 14.1%, medium (100-499): 27.7%, medium-large (500-1,999): 33.2%, or large (≥2,000): 25.0%]. Survey responses were summarized, and multiple correspondence analysis was used to map responses and identify data clusters. At the time of the survey, some respondents suspected (3%) or had confirmed (9%) COVID-19 cases on their premises. Respondents were somewhat or very concerned about the health (75%) and business (92%) implications associated with COVID-19. Producers were concerned about the health of their families, employees, and employees' families; having to reduce production; workforce shortage; limited goods availability; and lack of services. Producers perceived that their employees were somewhat or very concerned (74%) with the pandemic. There was COVID-19 safety information or training provided (78%) or intended (4%) in English (22%), Spanish (23%), or both (55%). The focus of training was as follows: how to remain healthy at work (91%) and at home (60%), what to do if a worker gets sick (77%), and sick leave information (54%). Nevertheless, 18% of the respondents answered that training was not going to be provided. The following control measures implemented: providing hand sanitizer or disinfectant wipes (78%), instruction on frequent hand-washing (76%), social distancing (59%), prevention of employee gatherings (54%), providing and requiring the use of face masks (49%), and limiting on-farm visitors (44%). Multiple correspondence analysis showed that concern with health risk and business impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as mitigation and response strategies implemented, varied based on respondent's dairy size and state. The greatest concerns were reported by producers from California and large and medium-large dairies, whereas the fewest concerns were reported by producers from small dairies. Results from this survey highlighted the health and business concerns of dairy producers from California, Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington during the COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation efforts adopted. In conclusion, mitigation measures were adopted by most dairy producers but in various degrees. Dairy industry service providers and educators were secondary educational resources during the pandemic; thus, future efforts toward centralized access to dairy specific bilingual educational materials are suggested.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Perspective of dairy producers from California, Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington: Health and business implications of the COVID-19 pandemic during the second wave

Valldecabres

Wenz

Ferreira

et al. 2022

Journal of Dairy Science

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Drying of dairy products

Erbay¹,

Salum²,

BOLAT³

2023

Drying Technology in Food Processing

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Ongoing mitigation strategies and further needs of the United States food industry to control COVID-19 in the work environment

Llanos-Soto

Bulut

Murphy

et al. 2021

Preprint

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The COVID-19 pandemic has had dire effects on the United States (US) food industry through impacts on workers' health and wellbeing and supply chain disruptions. The objectives of this study were to determine what the food industry needs to be able to control COVID-19 impacts in the work environment and what mitigation strategies are being implemented. A web-based needs assessment survey was distributed from January to April 2021, via 13 food professional/trade organizations and 2 social networks, targeting management professionals at food (produce, dairy, poultry, and beef/pork) processing facilities and produce farm operations in the US. Statistical analyses evaluated patterns in self-reported adoption of mitigation strategies against COVID-19 in the participants' facilities/operations and perceived needs of the industry regarding COVID-19. Responses to open-ended questions were analyzed using thematic analysis. In total 145 responses were received, of which 79 were usable, including 38 (48%) from the dairy, 17 (22%) from the fresh produce, and 24 (30%) from a mixture of other food industry sectors. Only two usable responses were from the beef/pork sector and none from the poultry sector. Findings revealed that several social distancing, biosecurity, and surveillance mitigation strategies against COVID-19 are commonly implemented in the participants' facilities/operations, but their implementation frequency differs by the facility/operation size and industry sector. Also, findings indicated that collaboration between the food industry and government agencies, contingency plans and appropriate training, and new technologies are needed to control COVID-19 in the food industry. Subject to limitations associated with the relatively low response rate (possible selection bias), the findings suggest that the US food industry is prepared to safeguard workers' health and businesses in the event of a new COVID-19 variant or similar future disaster, provided that appropriate structures are put in place to ensure coordination and compliance, both before and during such an outbreak.

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COVID-19 Awareness and Preparedness of Minnesota and Wisconsin Dairy Farms

Cited by 5 publications

References 11 publications

Perspective of dairy producers from California, Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington: Health and business implications of the COVID-19 pandemic during the second wave

Perspective of dairy producers from California, Idaho, South Dakota, and Washington: Health and business implications of the COVID-19 pandemic during the second wave

Drying of dairy products

Ongoing mitigation strategies and further needs of the United States food industry to control COVID-19 in the work environment

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