We have repeatedly heard from farmers that labor is their most burdensome cost.
When it comes to the H-2A program, prevailing wage determinations are one of the many hurdles, especially when they result in increased rates.
Farm Bureau Associate Economist, Smantha Ayoub spoke with RFD-TV’s Tammi Arender about the H-2A program versus other guestworker programs and the impact on producer profits.
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U.S. produce growers face a structural disadvantage—cheaper imports driving down prices while rising labor costs squeeze margins. Without new policies or technology, profitability remains uncertain.
According to the National Council of Farmers Cooperatives (NCFC), President and CEO Chuck Conner says, there is only one other option besides addressing ag labor shortages.
For rural communities, this shift could mean new housing options for farmworkers and young families priced out of metro markets.
Bottom line: Despite all the efforts advocates make, workers are still making less money.
Labor is an ongoing crisis in the ag sector. One industry group outlines three vital reforms to the H-2A visa program that farmers need to secure an affordable, stable workforce.
Lewie Pugh, with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association, joined us on Monday’s Market Day Report with his insights on the incident and a deeper dive into the issues at hand.
