A big win for farmers struggling with high labor costs.
A federal court has struck down the 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate Rule, which ag groups have been asking for since it was rolled out.
The rule was issued under the Biden administration and requires H-2A workers to be paid using metrics from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, not the USDA’s Farm Labor Survey.
The judge tossed the rule after the case was brought forward by Louisiana sugarcane growers, saying that work that was previously considered routine was now costing them a lot more.
The National Council of Ag Employers says that the ruling was positive and would give growers some much-needed financial relief.
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Secretary Rollins’ plan targets high costs, labor challenges, and export growth, delivering relief at home while building markets abroad.
Farmers should anticipate continued upward pressure on farm labor costs and monitor policy changes that may further impact hiring decisions.
Kevin Charleston with Specialty Risk Insurance joined us Tuesday to share his perspective on farm safety and risk management during fall harvest.
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.
