NASHVILLE, Tenn. (RFD-TV) — University of Georgia agricultural economist Cesar L. Escalante says rising Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWRs) are driving affordability concerns in the H-2A guest farmworker program.
AEWRs are set annually using the USDA’s Farm Labor Survey and are meant to ensure foreign workers earn fair pay without depressing domestic wages. The 2025 national AEWR is $17.74 per hour, nearly 18 percent higher than 2022 levels and above the long-term average growth rate of 3.5 percent.
Beyond hourly wages, H-2A employers must cover housing, transportation, meals, and insurance, which Escalante notes adds about a 5 percent premium to labor costs. Critics argue the AEWR system often produces abrupt wage spikes and does not fully reflect local labor conditions. Even so, Escalante’s analysis suggests H-2A labor remains cost-competitive compared with domestic hiring, especially when fringe benefit offsets are included.
Separately, although distinct from the H-2A program, the Trump administration is proposing a $100,000 fee per H-1B visa. Escalante warns that rising costs and new visa fees highlight how changes in immigration policy could reshape the labor supply for American farms.
The federal government’s status is far from the only factor moving the markets on Friday. Two critical reports released today on producer inflation and the status of the U.S. cattle herd are also top of mind.
January 30, 2026 12:51 PM
·
The changing political climate in America is leading to a drop in migrant crossings near the U.S.-Mexico border, where ranchers like Dr. Mike Vickers say they witnessed horrors from death to child trafficking.
January 30, 2026 11:47 AM
·
Beef x Dairy cattle with strong genetics and documentation are earning prices comparable to native feeders.
January 29, 2026 08:00 AM
·
Reliable waterways lower costs, protect export demand, and support long-term farm profitability.
January 29, 2026 06:00 AM
·
Mixed product pricing and rising milk supplies suggest margin management will remain critical as 2026 unfolds.
January 28, 2026 06:00 AM
·
RFD NEWS correspondent Frank McCaffrey recently spoke with Dr. Mike Vickers, a South Texas rancher, who says illegal border crossings have dramatically declined in the last year.
January 27, 2026 11:51 AM
·
Placements and marketings beat expectations, but declining on-feed totals and feeder constraints keep the supply story supportive for cattle prices into 2026. Dr. Derrell Peel, with Oklahoma State University, joined us to break down cattle-on-feed numbers and provide his broader market outlook.
January 23, 2026 04:40 PM
·
Americans for Prosperity Arkansas Director Ryan Norris talks energy infrastructure, regulatory reform, and the role of critical minerals in supporting rural America.
January 23, 2026 01:54 PM
·
Rural population growth and stabilizing economic indicators point to post-pandemic recovery, but uneven income, shifting industries, and regional divides remain key challenges for rural communities.
January 23, 2026 08:00 AM
·
