NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — New federal wage rules for H-2A visa farmworkers are addressing some long-standing problems but still leave key issues unresolved.
University of Georgia agricultural economists say the updated Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) system improves wage calculations but may still distort farm labor costs.
The U.S. Department of Labor shifted to a new system in 2025 that uses Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data instead of the Farm Labor Survey. This change moves wage calculations to the state level and introduces two pay tiers based on skill level, replacing broader regional averages under the old system.
The new approach helps correct geographic aggregation issues. However, wage data still relies heavily on unemployment insurance records, which often exclude farms and instead reflect farm labor contractors and support businesses.
Job-level differences also remain a concern. Wages for crop workers, livestock labor, and equipment operators are averaged together, even though they typically earn different pay rates. That can push wages above typical crop worker levels, which make up most H-2A jobs.
Farm-Level Takeaway: New wage rules improve accuracy but may still raise labor costs.
Tony St. James, RFD NEWS Markets Specialist
Kevin Charleston of Specialty Risk Insurance discusses the importance of grain bin safety and joint efforts with Nationwide to provide farmers and first responders with access to critical, life-saving rescue tubes.
February 10, 2026 03:57 PM
·
Dr. Kelly Bruns from the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture discusses how the college prepares students for careers in agriculture.
February 10, 2026 02:27 PM
·
Bankruptcy filings reflect prolonged margin pressure, rising debt, and limited financial flexibility across farm country. Bigger operating loans are helping farms manage costs, but they also signal growing reliance on borrowed capital.
February 10, 2026 01:35 PM
·
RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey was in Mission, Texas, where state and federal officials addressed growers and producers at a round table event hosted at a citrus grower’s facility. He shows us how welcome news was all around.
February 10, 2026 12:05 PM
·
A transition from traditional, technology-specific subsidies toward a performance-based, technology-neutral framework
February 10, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Lower freight costs helped sustain export demand amid a challenging pricing environment.
February 10, 2026 06:00 AM
·
