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.
USDA Rural Development Director for Kentucky, Travis Burton, joined us to discuss the Princeton facility (formerly Porter Road Meats), now backed by the USDA, and its role in expanding domestic meat processing capacity.
January 23, 2026 03:39 PM
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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
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Moderate oil prices may ease fuel costs, but continued caution in the energy sector could limit rural economic growth.
January 22, 2026 06:00 PM
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Despite rising costs and growing food insecurity, meat demand remained strong in 2025 as higher-income consumers offset cutbacks elsewhere. Economists break down the K-shaped economy, upcoming USDA cattle reports, livestock production outlooks, and renewed debate over beef imports and country-of-origin labeling heading into 2026.
January 20, 2026 02:47 PM
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Midland County Livestock Association President Brandon Mitchell reflects on another strong year for the event, including a premium sale that once again topped the million-dollar mark.
January 20, 2026 08:00 AM
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Strong balance sheets still matter, but liquidity, planning, and lender relationships are critical as ag credit tightens, according to analysis from AgAmerica Lending.
January 19, 2026 03:00 PM
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Protein-driven dairy growth is boosting beef supply potential, creating an opening to support rural jobs and ground beef availability.
January 19, 2026 01:00 PM
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RFD NEWS Correspondent Frank McCaffrey speaks with Texas’s Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Vicente Gonzalez about USMCA renegotiation and its impact on U.S.–Mexico agriculture trade.
January 17, 2026 05:00 PM
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Rising rural business confidence supports local ag economies, but taxes and labor shortages remain key constraints.
January 17, 2026 02:00 PM
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