Secretary Acosta, Secretary Nielsen, Secretary Perdue and Secretary Pompeo When President Trump addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation in January of this year, he reminded the audience that his commitment to our farmers has been clear since the day his Administration began: “From that day on, we have been working every day to deliver for America’s farmers just as they …
Farm Bill Delays Due to Immigration Issues
Efforts have been taking place to resurrect the House version of the 2018 Farm Bill after last week’s defeat. One reason for the defeat was an unrelated fight over immigration reform. American Farm Bureau Federation’s Andrew Walmsley says this isn’t over yet, after 30-GOP conservatives sunk the bill in a bid to win a vote on tough immigration reforms. Farm …
Tentative Next Steps for House Farm Bill
The House Farm Bill will get another vote on June 22 after a separate vote on a conservative immigration bill. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise announced the schedule on Monday. The conservative immigration bill is sponsored by House Judiciary Chair Bob Goodlatte of Virginia and Homeland Security Chair Michael McCaul of Texas. Roll Call reports the bill contains border wall …
House Farm Bill Dormant Amid Immigration Dispute
House Republican leadership is currently struggling with immigration issues and it’s put the House farm bill that didn’t pass on Friday right on the back burner. The Hagstrom Report describes the bill as “dormant.” Speaker Paul Ryan called for reconsideration of the bill immediately after the vote on Friday. He declared that the “ayes” had won the voice vote but …
Agri View: Farmers and the Labor Law
Everett Griner talks about farmers wanting a new labor law in today’s Agri View. He takes a look at the current H-2A program and shares some agriculture labor statistics. Farmers and the Labor Law Agriculture is America’s largest employer. The number of those who work on farms is not a firm figure, but it is always the most. Think about …
New ‘Got Jobs?’ Campaign Demonstrates Dairy’s Substantial Impact on US Economy, States and Local Communities
Most Americans know milk and other dairy products are an essential part of a healthy diet. But less well-known is dairy’s contribution to the health of the U.S. economy and the economies of every state across the country. A new storytelling campaign launched by the U.S. dairy industry aims to shine a brighter, data-driven spotlight on the positive effects of …
Agri View: Fruit and Vegetable Labor Problem
Everett Griner talks about fruit and vegetable labor problem in today’s Agri View. Everett discusses why the labor issue is putting more cost on the products for the consumer. You may have noticed that you are paying more for your fresh fruit and vegetables this year. You are very likely to pay more next year. Fruit and Vegetable Labor Problem …
Analyst: Labor Shortages and Volatile Feed Prices Ahead for Meat Industry
A Rabobank analyst says the U.S. could be on the tail end of the second longest expansion of its economy in history. Rabobank Analyst Don Close told the North American Meat Institute this week there are implications for the meat industry, including a pending labor shortage and possible volatile commodity prices ahead, according to meat industry publication Meatingplace. Close warns …
Administration Vows To Arrange for Farmworkers To Enter U.S.
While Congress continues the struggle to pass immigration reform legislation, work is being done on administrative actions that might make it a little easier to hire farmworkers. According to Gary Crawford, both President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue say that there will be a legal system to provide U.S. farmers with the foreign-born workers they need. Administration Vows To Arrange …
Reform Needed for Ag Guest Worker Program
Farm groups are pressing lawmakers to reform the ag guest worker program, despite dwindling prospects for such measures, after more sweeping immigration reform failed. The American Farm Bureau Federation, National Pork Producers Council and others had hoped House ag guest worker reform was hitched to a huge spending bill passed in March. But, that bid failed when broader immigration reforms …