Technology Decisions and H-2A Continues to Grow
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Rising farm labor costs and depressed crop prices have pushed California farmers to seek labor-saving technology to remain financially viable.
Josh Puckett, of Sierra Gold Nurseries, says rising costs threatened the tree nursery’s profitability, so they invested in new technologies to reduce manual labor and improve efficiency.
Now, in a potting line where 12 people once worked, a robot transplants rootstock into pots, and autonomous shuttles move plants around the facility.
**The Farm Credit System remains financially strong despite growing stress in parts of the farm economy, according to the Farm Credit Administration.
As of March 31, total capital reached $86.4 billion, up 7.3% from last year, leaving the nation's largest agricultural lender well-positioned to meet the borrowing needs of farmers and ranchers.
Despite expectations for lower net farm income in 2026, farm finances continue to benefit from federal support programs.
**The H-2A ag worker program continues to grow, with the Labor Department certifying 17% more jobs in the first half of fiscal 2026 than last year.
Former American Farm Bureau Economist Samantha Ayoub reports over 13,000 more positions were certified in 2025 than 24, the first year of over 400,000 workers.
These workers are needed because of a proven lack of domestic interest in the seasonal jobs.
The H-2A program has grown 185% in ten years.
