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.
More than 100 pork producers traveled to Washington to meet with lawmakers and underscore the threat to small family farms.
September 19, 2025 12:04 PM
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Corn and beef exports showed strong momentum, cotton sales surged, and soybean sales held steady, though China remains absent from the U.S. market.
September 18, 2025 04:43 PM
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American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) economist Danny Munch explains how the Emergency Livestock Relief Program application process differs from other USDA aid programs.
September 18, 2025 01:39 PM
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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.
September 18, 2025 01:10 PM
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For rural communities, this shift could mean new housing options for farmworkers and young families priced out of metro markets.
September 18, 2025 11:37 AM
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Producers may need to prepare for margin pressure in livestock feeding, while dairy farmers could benefit from stronger product demand.
September 16, 2025 12:42 PM
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U.S. trade talks with China resume, but meat industry leaders say dealing with shifting demand and market uncertainty is nothing new in this side of the ag sector.
September 15, 2025 12:57 PM
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Bottom line: Despite all the efforts advocates make, workers are still making less money.
September 12, 2025 01:33 PM
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September 10, 2025 10:07 AM
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