Ag labor challenges can no longer afford to be overlooked, according to National Farmers Union

“If this workforce gets even tighter and tighter, you know, it’s going to drive some folks out of production.”

Ag labor challenges are at the forefront of the industry’s minds. The National Farmers Union (NFU) says the industry can no longer afford to ignore them.

“Farmers right now, right, we’re paying really strong wages out there as it is,” says NFU President Rob Larew. “If this workforce gets even tighter and tighter, you know, it’s going to drive some folks out of production.”

Larew says that many attempts have been made to address the issue in Washington, but they always fall short, and it has been frustrating to watch.

“We’ve had bipartisan bills make it a part of the way through Congress with the support of farmworker’s groups, and so it’s been extraordinarily frustrating that there’s a lot of consensus on what should be done to kind of reform H-2A in particular, but we just can’t seem to get it done,” he explains.

Larew says that finding adequate labor might be agriculture’s most significant problem today. He remains hopeful that H-2A reform is possible.

Related Stories
UNL’s Dr. Dirac Twidwell discusses wildfire recovery efforts in Nebraska and what producers should keep in mind in the days and weeks ahead.
Dr. Michael Langemeier with Purdue University provided perspective on the improving farmer sentiment and the trends shaping the agricultural economy moving forward.
The White House’s plan calls for a nearly 20 percent reduction in the USDA’s budget, which would impact various food and agriculture aid programs.
JBS representatives told Reuters that the original deal has not changed and that they welcome employees back to the facility.
Rancher and Americans for Prosperity Director Tyler Lindholm breaks down the Wyoming Food Freedom Act, clarifies licensing questions, and discusses the future of local agriculture in the state.