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.
Expect firmer shop prices, leaner inventories, and selective hiring in ag-adjacent businesses — plan parts, service, and financing needs earlier.
October 15, 2025 11:35 AM
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The FAA’s proposed rule to allow drones to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) could soon revolutionize how farmers and ranchers manage their land.
October 13, 2025 03:39 PM
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AFBF Associate Economist Samantha Ayoub joins us to dive into H-2A visa program changes and what can be done to ease the pressure on producers.
October 09, 2025 12:11 PM
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Software developers at John Deere Digital are addressing challenges with their new Operations Center, which helps farmers make decisions on the fly.
October 06, 2025 11:51 AM
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Agricultural exports continue to be a key contributor to rural employment. However, rural businesses still struggle to fill numerous job openings.
October 06, 2025 10:46 AM
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In a final rule published in the Federal Register, the Department states that it will no longer base wage rates on the Farm Labor Survey.
October 02, 2025 11:20 AM
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The U.S. pork industry is staying vigilant in keeping its supply safe from foreign animal diseases like African Swine Fever.
October 01, 2025 01:09 PM
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The campaign is about more than just a digital push; NPB leaders hope it will become a rallying point for the entire industry.
September 30, 2025 11:55 AM
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The USDA’s August Cold Storage report shows shifting stock levels across major dairy, meat, and poultry products.
September 29, 2025 06:21 PM
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