H-2A Reforms on Hold and Ag Trade Deficit Down

The Agribusiness Update
A court ruling casts uncertainty over recent reforms to the H-2A ag guestworker program, leaving current wage rates in place for now, and U.S. ag exports are expected to strengthen as USDA raised its trade forecast and projected a smaller ag trade deficit for 2026.

Ground Beef Import Proclamation Signed by POTUS, H-2A Worker Wage Rate Verdict

Line on Agriculture
President Donald Trump's proclamation to remove tariffs on 300,000 metric tons of imported lean beef trimmings has drawn criticism from some Republicans and the U.S. cattle industry, including the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

A federal judge has invalidated a Trump administration rule that would have lowered wages for some foreign farm workers, citing insufficient public input.

Mexican Livestock Trade Resumes and Trade Delegation to Australia

The Agribusiness Update
USDA began reopening Southwest ports for livestock trade last week, more than a year after suspending crossings to slow the spread of New World Screwworm, and USDA sent a delegation to Australia last week to strengthen export opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers.

Need for Guestworkers

Fruit Grower Report
It’s no secret that finding adequate, affordable ag labor is a huge challenge for farmers, especially in recent years.

Lack of Understanding

Fruit Grower Report
U.S. Representative Dan Newhouse says with the labor shortages and high expenses, there is a lot of misinterpretations of the ag labor force in general.

Ag Labor Needs

Fruit Grower Report
H-2A reform is just one of many labor challenges farmers are facing today that need to be fixed.

AEWR Cap

Fruit Grower Report
House Ag Chair GT Thompson’s “Securing Agricultural Workforce Act” offers a cap on year-to-year increases in the wage rate.

H-2A Program Growth Renews Labor Reform Conversation

Southeast Regional Ag News
As use of the H-2A guest worker program climbs, proposed legislation aims to modernize rules that have remained largely unchanged for nearly 40 years.

Securing Ag Workforce Act and Push for Prop 12 Fix in Farm Bill

The Agribusiness Update
Securing Agriculture's Workforce Act of 2026 would broaden access to H-2A workers, and agricultural groups are urging the Senate Ag Committee to include language in their final bill to address the problems caused by California’s Proposition 12.

Ag Crisis

Fruit Grower Report
Whether it’s the cost of farming, the overtime laws, the CCA fuel tax, or the unionization of agricultural workers, growing food in Washington state is not easy.

Year-Round E15 Sales and FFA Talent Pool

The Agribusiness Update
The Renewable Fuels Association applauds President Trump's latest call for Congress to approve permanent, year-round sales of E15 gas nationwide, and American businesses searching for skilled workers may be overlooking one of the country's largest talent pools: the National FFA.

Is H-2A Stealing Jobs?

Fruit Grower Report
Despite the claims by some that H-2A foreign guestworkers are taking jobs from American workers, the numbers don’t back them up.

Northwest Cherry Harvest and Senate Farm Bill Proposal

The Agribusiness Update
The Northwest cherry season has entered its peak shipping window, with volumes now at their highest levels of the year, and a new Senate farm bill proposal could face an uphill battle after reports indicated it does NOT include a delay in planned changes to SNAP funding.

Summer Break-Hungry Kids and Senate Farm Bill Proposal

The Agribusiness Update
Summer break can leave some Florida children without access to regular, healthy meals, and a new Senate farm bill proposal could face an uphill battle after reports indicated it does NOT include a delay in planned changes to SNAP funding.

Technology Decisions and H-2A Continues to Grow

The Agribusiness Update
Rising farm labor costs and depressed crop prices have pushed California farmers to seek labor-saving technology to remain financially viable, and the H-2A ag worker program continues to grow, with the DOL certifying 17% more jobs in the first half of fiscal 2026 than last year.

Georgia Animal Movement Changes and H-2A Continues to Grow

The Agribusiness Update
Georgia Ag Commissioner announces enhanced interstate animal movement requirements for all warm-blooded animals entering Georgia from Texas, and the H-2A ag worker program continues to grow, with the DOL certifying 17% more jobs in the first half of fiscal 2026 than last year.

Codify H-2A Wage Rates

Fruit Grower Report
While a federal district court recently upheld the Trump administration’s revised wage rule for H-2A ag workers, farmers and ag groups are concerned that the current rates could be reversed or drastically amended by a future administration.

New AEWR Savings and WOTUS Rule Finalization

The Agribusiness Update
After years of rising labor costs, some farmers have seen relief in recent months thanks to the new AEWR rules, and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin says they’re working to finalize a new Waters of the U.S., or WOTUS, rule.

Specialty Crops and Labor

Fruit Grower Report
Samantha Ayoub, an agricultural economist for the International Fresh Produce Association, says fruit and vegetable producers have a significant need for year-round labor.

AEWR Upheld

Fruit Grower Report
A federal judge denied a United Farm Workers’ request to temporarily block the Trump administration’s revised wage rule for H-2A workers.