Livestock Markets During COVID-19

       Continuing Operations during COVID-19

LMA is doing everything in our power to keep markets open and operating. Auctions are critical to the food supply and provide income to farmers and ranchers who are particularly impacted by the COVID19 situation.

In order to keep markets open and to maintain business continuity across the industry, we must all follow all relevant local, state and federal mandates. If we do not act responsibly in taking necessary measures, we will lose the ability to operate.

We ask that you take these take steps to mitigate disease spread and create contingency plans accordingly. The following strategies may be beneficial to prepare your operations:

• Familiarize yourself with and follow rapidly changing local and state rules regarding assembly of crowds. If you need assistance interpreting relevant recommendations and mandates, please reach out to Chelsea Good at cgood@lmaweb.com/816-305-9540 or your Region Executive Officer;
• Work with your café operators to follow location-specific guidance which may include closure or offering to-go service only;
• If you are in a situation where you are working to limit crowd size, request that consignors deliver livestock and return home rather than remaining at the facility;
• Markets working toward limiting crowd sizes at their facilities may want to put up signs to communicate with visitors. If you need help crafting sign language, please reach out to LMA;
• Offer consignors flexibility in picking up their checks if they can’t wait for them to arrive by mail, such as delivery or pick up from their vehicle while remaining in parking lot;
• Instruct any employee or visitor exhibiting symptoms of illness to remain home and request that any employee or visitor who is a member of a population of heightened vulnerability to consider avoiding areas where people are gathering;
• Evaluate all options to utilize web broadcast or phone bidding;
• Provide ample opportunities for visitors and employees to wash hands following CDC best practices;
• Clean and disinfect all commonly used areas frequently including restrooms and restocking with soap, paper towels, and hand sanitizer;
• Update your website with instructions to customers and your plans for continued operation;
• Utilize your social media platforms to share fact-based information and your plans for continued operations.
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•  If you need help drafting your social media or website statements, please reach out to Kristen Parman at kparman@lmaweb.com 816-645-5916 or your Region Executive Officer.

If you need assistance or have additional questions, please contact me at 816-645-5916 or kparman@lmaweb.com Chelsea Good at 816-305-9540 or cgood@lmaweb.com, or your Region Executive Officer.                                                                                    Source: Livestock Marketing Association