DAKOTA DUNES, SD. – Amid the high demand for meat during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Tyson Fresh Meats, the beef and pork unit of Tyson Foods, announced it will pay producers $5 more per cwt for live cattle and $7.94 more for dressed and grid cattle.

“As an American company supporting the agricultural backbone of this country it is imperative during this national state of emergency, we not only support our customers, but our cattle supply partners as well by ensuring the long-term sustainability of the beef business,” Tyson Foods said.

“Without the pipeline of high-quality cattle, we would not be able to deliver on meeting the needs of our customers and consumers,” the company said. “It is for these reasons Tyson Fresh Meats is providing a one-time premium effective for cattle harvested the week of March 23rd, in an effort to demonstrate our commitment and support of our valued cattle suppliers. This is an unprecedented time and the intent of our response is to show our support in an effort to help our supply partners weather this extraordinary situation.”

Austin, Minn.-based Hormel Foods Corp. announced on March 23 that a companywide $4 million bonus will be paid to all full- and part-time plant production workers who have been working during the COVID-19 outbreak.

The company said each full-time worker will be paid $300 and part-time team members will be paid $150.

“Our incredible team of more than 13,000 plant professionals is the backbone of our company and this special bonus is one way we can continue to thank them for how they have risen to the challenge and continue to produce food with a sense of purpose and pride,” said Jim Snee chairman, president and chief executive officer of Hormel Foods.

The company also announced an expansion of its CARE Program employee assistance program fund, extended paid sick leave, waived waiting periods and eligibility requirements for certain benefits for its workforce.