The cost of ag labor is expected to rise. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Total cash labor expenses for the U.S. agriculture sector are forecast to be $43.35 billion for 2023, based on new data from USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS). This would be an increase of $0.78 billion, or 1.8 percent, over the 2022 level of …
Labor Shortage Affecting Peanut Processors
Labor is a big issue for many in agriculture. Today, Tyron Spearman looks at how it is affecting certain aspects of the peanut industry. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Nuseed Carinata Covers New GroundOctober 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners in ProfitabilityApril 1, 2024
West Coast Port Workers Ratify Labor Contract
Last week, members of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU), which represents dockworkers at all U.S. West Coast ports, voted to ratify a tentative contract agreement. The Union voted 75 percent in favor of approving the agreement that runs until 2028 six-year agreement is retroactive to July 1, 2022, and runs through July 1, 2028. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO …
Challenges for House Ag Labor Working Group
Congress is looking into farm labor needs around the nation, but it is a challenging task. The House Agriculture Committee recently announced the creation of the bipartisan Agricultural Labor Working Group (see news release below), which will focus on the workforce issues faced by agricultural producers around the nation. Congressman and farmer Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01) says the current system needs …
USDA Hiring Engineers, Natural Resource Specialists
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it is ramping up hiring for key positions to help strengthen agricultural conservation efforts. The available positions, through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), include engineers, civil engineering technicians and natural resource specialists. The application period for engineer positions and engineering technicians is currently open and natural resource specialist opportunities will open next week. …
Farmer/Congressman Supports Dignity Act for Immigrants
by Sabrina Halvorson As a longtime farmer, John Duarte of California has paid close attention to immigration bills and now as a first-term congressman, he has the opportunity to support one. Congressman Duarte (R-CA) is a co-sponsor of the updated Dignity Act, which was recently reintroduced by a bipartisan group of representatives led by Reps. María Elvira Salazar (R-FL) and …
NPPC Submits Testimony on Border Protection
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) recently submitted written testimony to the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade about the need for robust customs and border protection keep foreign animal diseases from reaching the U.S. mainland. With increasing threats like foot and mouth diseases and African swine fever, the pork and other livestock sectors are looking to the Bureau of …
West Coast Labor Dispute Affecting Red Meat Exports
Contract negotiations between West Coast longshoremen and container terminal operators faced a breakdown last Friday, as work stoppages effectively closed the Port of Oakland and slowed operations up and down the coast. And that is affecting the shipping of agricultural products, including red meat. U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) President and CEO, Dan Halstrom, explains why the West Coast port labor impasse is of …
USDA to Bring Jobs to Rural Partners Network
The USDA is working to bring more jobs to rural communities. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. The Department of Agriculture this week announced an effort to help rural communities to address some of their immediate needs and foster long-term economic growth. USDA is providing loans and grants to help people living in rural and Tribal communities in …
Duarte Says H.R. 2 E-Verify Program “Devastating” for Farmers
A Republican congressman says the GOP’s border bill doesn’t work for farmers or farm workers. H.R.2, the Secure the Border Act passed in the House last week with a vote of 219 to 213. All Democrats were opposed and all but two Republicans were in favor. One of those two Republicans was John Duarte of California. In an interview with …