The U.S. pork industry says that a growing labor crisis is threatening farms across the country.
The National Pork Producers Council President says that the shortage is not about illegal immigration, but keeping a legal, stable workforce in agriculture.
According to Duane Stateler, “This is a lot bigger than the illegals or those people that crossed the borders in the last four years. We’ve sort of had an open border situation in the past 20 years. There are a lot of undocumented [workers] here that have tried, and then they haven’t been able to get citizenship because everything is so backed up – or get their visas renewed. And then, if you want to renew your visa, you’ve got to do certain things.”
He adds that rural areas are struggling to retain workers, as younger generations move to cities, leaving farms scrambling for employees essential to keeping the nation’s pork supply moving.
The American Farm Bureau is backing the federal court’s decision to strike down the Disaggregation Rule, part of the 2023 Adverse Effect Wage Rate, which required pay for tasks workers might not even perform.
Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall is calling the decision a positive step, saying farmers support fair wages but need rules that reflect actual work.
He is urging lawmakers to keep pushing reforms to the H-2A guest worker program to stabilize farm labor.
Rising beef supplies and lower cattle prices, weaker hog markets, and softening dairy prices will shape producer margins heading into 2026.
December 11, 2025 01:32 PM
·
Farm Journal Foundation Senior Policy Adviser Dr. Stephanie Mercier outlines new research on the top sixteen biosecurity threats in agriculture/
December 10, 2025 01:05 PM
·
Rural employers are slightly more optimistic, but labor shortages and renewed price pressures continue to limit growth across farm country according to a
December 10, 2025 11:56 AM
·
Lewie Pugh with the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) discusses the gap in truck driver education programs and how it impacts road safety and supply chain economics.
December 08, 2025 03:49 PM
·
While the 2018 Farm Bill received an extension under the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill” Act, the National Pork Producers Council wants lawmakers to do more to support the sector.
December 04, 2025 11:27 AM
·
Buying a real Christmas tree directly supports U.S. farmers facing rising import competition, long production cycles, and weather-driven risks.
December 04, 2025 11:02 AM
·
Tight cattle supplies continue to drive lower beef output despite heavier weights.
December 04, 2025 05:00 AM
·
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) estimates that the move will save farmers and ranchers $2.5 billion each year. The group warns that new methods for calculating the adverse-effect wage rate would result in lower pay for foreign workers.
November 24, 2025 11:32 AM
·
The agriculture workforce remains strong and diverse, offering meaningful pathways for students pursuing careers that support the food and farm economy.
November 21, 2025 02:13 PM
·
