Planting season is just getting underway in parts of the United States, and that means farm labor will soon be in high demand.
Nationwide, more than 3,000 H-2A positions were certified in the 2024 fiscal year, which is about 6,000 more than the year before.
The Farm Monitor looks at the future of immigration policies, and how the H-2A program helps keep the ag workforce compliant.
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Roger McEowen discusses the federal court ruling on H-2A wage rates and its implications for agricultural employers.
The dairy industry is urging Congress to advance legislation to make the H-2A program more workable for year-round dairy operations.
Industry leaders and lawmakers are looking at legal pathways to address the need for farm workers.
Kansas, North Dakota, and Nebraska are states where H-2A wage rates are increasing by roughly 20 percent in some cases.
For agricultural producers, finding workers is only part of the challenge. The cost of hiring has also become a growing concern.
The National Federation of Independent Business says 27 percent of owners named labor quality or availability their biggest problem, up eight points from June.
