Three of the biggest poultry processors in the U.S. will settle claims by the Justice Department over their alleged efforts to work together to drive down employee compensation. Reuters said Cargill, Sanderson Farms, and Wayne Farms agreed to pay a combined $84 million in restitution to workers harmed by their alleged information sharing in order to settle civil antitrust lawsuits. …
American Fruit Grower’s Survey Shows Serious Labor Concerns
The American Fruit Growers held its annual State of the Industry survey. Labor was a big topic in the survey, and one-third of the respondents say it’s not an issue for them, at least not yet. Growing Produce says they typically have a stable team of employees, and in 20 percent of those cases, it includes family members. For the …
Report Highlights Effects of Rising Labor Costs
When ag labor costs rise, specialty crop growers are usually among those hit hardest. Now, a new USDA report goes in-depth on how fruit and vegetable growers are handling the higher costs of labor. The report says farm labor costs increased from 2010-19 for several reasons, including fewer newly-arrived unauthorized workers, rising State minimum wages, and new requirements to pay …
Representatives Discuss Access to SNAP Benefits for Undocumented Immigrants
Do undocumented immigrants have access to SNAP benefits? That was a topic of discussion at the recent House Agriculture Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations hearing on SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Funding for the program is included in the farm bill, and the hearing was part of the committee’s work on the 2023 farm bill. …
Commissioner Fried Announces Launch of FDACS Farmer Stress Awareness Initiative
(Tallahassee, FL/May 24, 2022) — With May marking Mental Health Awareness Month, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services Nikki Fried announced today the launch of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ (FDACS) Farmer Stress Awareness Initiative. The formal launch will take place next week at an event at Wish Farms in Plant City on June 2nd at 9am where FDACS will premiere several videos that will …
Alabama Farmers Concerned with Input Prices, Labor
We’ve talked before about the rising input prices, and how this will affect many decisions heading into the 2022 planting season. Various surveys have indicated that this is a top concern for many farmers this year. Alabama Extension Cotton Agronomist Steve Brown, with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), agrees. He told Southeast AgNet this is something many growers have discussed with him, …
Ag Labor Discussed at AG Employer Workshop
The United States Peanut Federation (USPF) recently held an Agricultural Employer AG Labor Roundtable in Albany, Georgia. Tyron Spearman reports that discussions included the difference in mandatory wages for H2A labor versus H2B labor, and how far in advance producers must apply for their labor needs. Sponsored ContentNuseed Carinata Covers New GroundJuly 15, 2024CIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsJuly 1, 2024TriEst Ag Group: Partners …
Florida Lawmakers Talk Broadband and Immigration
Lawmakers Look to Boost Broadband in Rural Areas (NSF/TALLAHASSEE/January 24, 2022) — Florida lawmakers are looking to use at least $400 million in federal stimulus money to to help broadband providers expand services to mostly rural, underserved areas. But don’t expect to see the money reduce rates for customers. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee on Monday unanimously supported measures …
Latest Challenges Related to Ag Labor
We told you last month that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported real output in the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting labor sector is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.3% from 2020 to 2030. That is slightly higher than the 2.2% annual growth rate projected for the entire U.S. economy. But according to a story from Rod Bain, the complexity …
A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer
As we celebrate Christmas this year, Southeast AgNet’s Randall Weiseman brings back an old favorite, “A Cowboy’s Christmas Prayer” written by S. Omar Barker. A COWBOY’S CHRISTMAS PRAYERby S. Omar Barker (1895-1985) I ain’t much good at prayin’,and You may not know me, Lord —For I ain’t much seen in churches,where they preach Thy Holy Word.But you may have observed …