The following may be attributed to American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall. “Farm Bureau welcomes President Trump’s focus on fixing our nation’s broken immigration system. However, nowhere is reform more critical than in the agricultural sector. Labor shortages now are being felt by farmers and ranchers across the country, in dairy, fruits and vegetables, mushroom, livestock and other sectors. …
Perdue Optimistic on Many Major Pending Issues
Agriculture Secretary Perdue is optimistic for satisfactory outcomes for several pending agreements and issues. Gary Crawford has the story. Sponsored ContentStrong Relationship Exists Between the Florida Cattle Enhancement Board and UF-IFASApril 17, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Funding For Quicker Response to Research QuestionsApril 10, 2026Florida Cattle Enhancement Board Provides Opportunities That Spark Research ProjectsApril 3, 2026United Dairy Farmers of …
USDA Launches New Farmers.gov Features to Help with H2A Applications, Managing Loans
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launched two new features on farmers.gov to help customers manage their farm loans and navigate the application process for H2A visas. “Customer service is our top priority at USDA and these new features will help our customers as they manage their farm loans and navigate the H-2A temporary agricultural …
AFBF Concerned about Labor, Trade if Border Closed
The American Farm Bureau Federation is urging the administration to make sure that any steps undertaken to tighten enforcement at the U.S. border do not create more uncertainty for agricultural producers. “Right now, farmers and ranchers are toughing it out,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “Many of our products are caught up in a trade dispute. Mother Nature has devastated the …
Talk of Closing Mexico Border Concerns Ag Groups
There has been a lot in the news the past few days about President Trump’s threats to close the southern border unless Mexico takes steps to stop the illegal border crossings. And the possibility of this happening concerns many ag groups. Dairy producers point out that Mexico remains the largest export market for U.S. milk products, accounting for $1.4 billion …
E-Verify Plan a Heavy Lift
Gov. Ron DeSantis’ campaign vow to require Florida businesses to use federal “E-Verify” checks on the immigration status of new hires remains a tougher lift than his call for a sanctuary-city ban, which is speeding through the Legislature. But he’s not giving up, even as he blames a lack of unanimity among Republican lawmakers for slowing the red-meat proposal that …
Labor Discussed at Farm Bureau Convention
President Donald Trump was one of the speakers during the recent American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) annual convention. While he did discuss wanting support for a border wall between the United States and Mexico, he also promised to make it easier for seasonal farm workers to enter the country. During a press conference, AFBF President Zippy Duvall said immigration and farm labor …
Navigating the H-2A Guest Worker Program
U.S. farmers and ranchers discussed the current state of regulations governing the farm labor market and efforts to navigate it, at a workshop during the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 100th Annual Convention. The H-2A visa program has experienced massive growth over the past decade, with the number of visas being issued to temporary workers rising 500 percent. Still, demand is …
Secretary Perdue on Dept. of Labor Rulemaking on H-2A Visa Program
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue praised proposed rulemaking by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which could help farmers advertise job openings to domestic workers as required under the H-2A visa program. The DOL rulemaking would require that employers seeking to hire temporary workers post the employment opportunities online, rather than in expensive newspapers advertisements reaching a limited audience. …
Expert Researchers Meet to Discuss Science Related to Heat Stress
Researchers representing disciplines such as the military, agriculture and sports medicine met in late October to discuss the latest advances in science and technology related to occupational heat stress in the Southeast. The Southeastern Coastal Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (SCCAHS) brought together scientists from the University of Florida, Florida State University, University of South Florida, Emory University and …