Will the Trump Administration tackle the problem with farm labor?

Farmers and ranchers have been sounding the alarm over ag labor for years. Now, one farm group says it is optimistic that the new administration will tackle the problem.

“Whether it’s tax, farm bill, you name it, you know, sometimes you have some outliers. In the case of labor, 100 percent of American agriculture here is behind us to try and get this problem fixed. You know, we have a new Congress, a new President coming in, and I think there’s going to be a case to make a strong, if you want to be for the farmer, want to be for the rancher, this is what you’ve got to do, and that’s the source of my optimism,” said Chuck Conner.

President-Elect Trump made illegal immigration a centerpiece in his campaign. However, some worry his plan to deal with it could come at a cost to the ag industry. Earlier this week, he said he will consider using military force to carry out mass deportations. USDA numbers show more than a third of all hired farm help in the United States is made up by illegal immigrants.

Related Stories
Practical changes to retailer stocking standards promote more options all while reducing fraud and abuse in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney and other experts break down ongoing energy market volatility, its impact on producer decision-making, and key indicators farmers should monitor moving forward.
The New World Screwworm case was detected roughly 119 miles from the U.S.-Mexico border — at nearly the same latitude as Zapata, Texas.
On Tuesday’s Cow Guy Close, host Scott Shellady spoke with USDA Deputy Secretary Stephen Vaden about the decision, what he saw during a recent tour of the property, and why the department believes closure is the best path forward.
Farm legal expert Roger McEowen joins us to discuss the importance of a traditional Farm Bill and his concerns over shifting policy approaches.
Federal officials are signaling a more aggressive push on beef packer concentration, but any direct market impact will depend on what the investigation actually finds.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

Jenna Stanton with the United States Cattlemen’s Association joins us to discuss beef import concerns, cattle market signals, and the latest developments surrounding U.S. beef trade.
Farmers will soon be asked to help shape some of USDA’s most closely watched crop and inventory reports.
RealAg Radio Host Shaun Haney joins us to discuss the latest U.S.-China ag trade agreements, market reaction, and what producers should watch moving forward.