COTTON
Ginners Marketplace COTTON FARMING IS THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE GINNING INDUSTRY.
Ginning In The Age Of COVID-19 As I write this, the coronavirus numbers are just as confusing as they were when this whole thing started. No one knows exactly what is going on and how this odd disease seems to work and/or affect individuals. What we do know is that few people have any natural or acquired immunity. We also know it can affect different people in totally different ways. One person may just have cold-like symptoms, a friend may end up in the hospital and another may have hardly any symptoms at all. What does this have to do with ginning? Nothing and everything at the same time. Long gone are the days when gins could count on local labor to fill a crew. Local folks just don’t want to do deal with moving to two shifts, working long hours or having a seven-day work week anymore. Migrant Labor Considerations Consequently, gins have transitioned to using migrant labor. This refers to labor that doesn’t live locally and travels to where the work is. Often, it comprises a group of people who move with the gin season as it progresses and, just as often, most of them are related to each other. As we’ve moved to hiring migrant workers, housing has be-
come an issue. Some gins provide accommodations, some help arrange lodging and some don’t worry about it as the crew members themselves find a place to live while they are here. Since it’s typically a bunch of guys who are related or friends, they don’t mind sleeping in what most of us would consider tight quarters. With the virus’s ability to spread faster than the common cold or flu, close working conditions, transportation and living arrangements have led to outbreaks in places in similar situations as gins. They haven’t been widespread but can be tough on the employees and the employer. Preparation is key. Coronavirus In The Workplace In different geographies, we are several weeks or months away from ginning season. Now is the time to be thinking about how to prevent community spread of the disease among your workers and what you need to do if it begins to move through your employees. If an outbreak is bad enough, you will lose productivity and may have to shut down or go to one shift. How are you going to handle medical attention for the employees? If the spread of the coronavirus is tied to work practices or things the employer could have done to prevent it or slow it down, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is
Lummus Ag Technology – a new name for an old friend. The team that’s been here for you through the years, now with an expanded commitment to be the source for the best in cotton ginning machinery, repair parts, and technical service. Regardless of your project scope, now is the time to contact Lummus to discuss your goals and needs. Just a short list of items we offer: Quality OEM Repair Parts Three levels of Gin Saw Bearings – Gold (Best), Silver (Better), and Standard (Good) Premium Gin Saws (available in both 0.036” and 0.045” thicknesses) Press Rebuilds (strain rods, boxes, sills, etc.) for Premier™ Dor-Les®, E.E. Dor-Les®, Gin Dor-Les®, and Lift-Box Dor-Les® (Standard and HighCapacity models) Unmatched Technical Service Installation Project Supervision and Management
Cotton Ginners Marketplace
All-new complete Gin Plants Ginning Machinery (individual machines, stand-alone systems, presses, etc.) Press Consoles and Main Control Consoles Burner and Moisture Unit Gas Train/Controls upgrades Air Monitoring and Fire Detection Kits Gin and Feeder Controls Gin Dor-Les® and E.E. Dor-Les® Press upgrades 16” diameter Bottom Ram Conversion Hydraulic Tramper/Pusher Conversion Premier™ III Series Hydraulic Pumping Units
We are ready and willing to partner with you to help make your business successful!
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TWITTER: @COTTONFARMING
Physical Address: 225225 Bourne Boulevard • Savannah, Georgia 31408-9586 Physical Address: Bourne Boulevard • Savannah, Georgia 31408-9586USA USA Mailing Address: P.O. Box 929929 • Pooler, Georgia 31322-0929 USA Mailing Address: P.O. Box • Pooler, Georgia 31322-0929 USA Phone: (912) 447-9000 • Fax: (912) 447-9250 Phone: (912) 447-9000 • Fax: (912) 447-9250 TollToll Free (USA Only): 1-800-4LUMMUS (1-800-458-6687) Free (USA Only): 1-800-4LUMMUS (1-800-458-6687) Web Site: www.lummus.com • E-mail: lummus.sales@lummus.com Web Site: www.lummus.com • E-mail: lummus.sales@lummus.com
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JULY 2020 | COTTON FARMING
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