ICE and Ag Labor

Fruit Grower Report
Open border or ICE raids? We’ve tried them both and neither seems to be a practical solution for controlling who comes into our country legally, including our agricultural workforce.

BLM on Outstanding Timber Year and SNAP Food Purchasing Rules

The Agribusiness Update
The Bureau of Land Management in Oregon and Washington wrapped up fiscal year 2025 with a standout timber performance, and USDA approves stricter limits on what Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients can buy.

GFB Young Farmers and Ranchers and SNAP Food Purchasing Rules

The Agribusiness Update
Winners of the Georgia Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers 2025 competitive events prepare for national competitions at the American Farm Bureau Federation Annual Convention, andUSDA approves stricter limits on what Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients can buy.

Rail Crossings to Mexico Reopened and Exports Important for Holiday Treats

The Agribusiness Update
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection has reopened the

Eagle Pass and El Paso rail crossings into Mexico, and USDA’s Foreign Ag Service is reminding us that exports are important to those holiday treats we’ve been enjoying recently.

World Ag Expo in California and Border Patrol Seizes Prohibited Pork

The Agribusiness Update
World Ag Expo kicks off tomorrow in Tulare, California, and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seizes 243 pounds of illegal pork products.

AFBF Ratifies 2022 Policies and Border Patrol Seizes Illegal Pork

The Agribusiness Update
American Farm Bureau ratifies policy book for 2022, and Border Patrol seizes 243 pounds of illegal pork products.

60-day Deadline for Chlorpyrifos and Meth Found in Strawberries

The Agribusiness Update
A federal appeals court has given the EPA 60 days to either ban chlorpyrifos or set newer-safer exposure exposure levels, and Border Patrol discovers $82.5 million dollars worth of meth hidden in fresh strawberry shipment from Mexico.

Seed Packets Scam and Meth Found in Produce at Border

The Agribusiness Update
Seed packets received in the U.S. last summer appear to be part of a scam and not to taint agriculture, and Border Agents found $11.5-million worth of meth in a mixed produce shipment from Mexico.

Alabama Farmers Fed Reelects President and Florida CARES Act Reminder

The Agribusiness Update
Alabama Farmers Federation reelects Parnell as president, and Ag Commissioner Nikki Fried reminds Governor to use CARES Act funding for school lunches.

Drugs Found in Fresh Carrots and COVID Relief from Congress

The Agribusiness Update
$3-million dollars worth of drugs found in a shipment of fresh carrots from Mexico, and Congress works to pass COVID-19 relief package before year's end.

U.S. Trailing in Bilateral Trade Agreements and Drugs Found in Produce

The Agribusiness Update
The U.S. is falling behind dairy competitors in enacting new trade agreements, and Customs and Border officers find a million dollars worth of cocaine in produce shipment.

Rain and Cold in California and Organic Fraud Protection

The Agribusiness Update
Plenty of rain for cattle to graze if California would warm up a bit, and government and private sector team up to prevent organic fraud.

ASF Risk in U.S. Hog Herd and Kwik Lok's New Eco Lok

The Agribusiness Update
A look into risk of African Swine Fever in U.S. hog herd, and Union Gap-based Kwik Lok introduces new Eco-Lok bag closure made with renewable starch from potatoes and corn.

AFBF Women's Boot Camp and Imported Pumpkins Problems

The Agribusiness Update
American Farm Bureau has 15 grads from Women's Boot Camp, and Imported pumpkins bringing invasive species.

Rain Delays Corn Planting and Carrot Truck Smuggles Meth

The Agribusiness Update
Rain is throwing a wrench in corn planting for most in the Midwest, and Carrot truck caught smuggling meth across border from Mexico.

ICE Immigration Arrests and Bayer Stocks Down

The Agribusiness Update
ICE targets businesses for hiring and mistreating illegal immigrants, and Bayer stocks down after California jury orders $289-million payout for Monsanto's glyphosate violation.

Border Fracas

Fruit Grower Report
The problems at the border just keep going around and around in circles.

Creating Alternative Water Supplies & Workers Applying For DAPA and DACA

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
Drought prompts Ecology to work with available funds to create alternative water supplies, and seasonal employers should take care when an employee asks for assistance with DAPA or DACA.

Death Tax Repeal Act & No Help From ICE

Washington State Farm Bureau Report
The bill repealing the federal estate tax has headed to the Senate after passage in the House, but the joy over that may be short lived, and safe harbor rejected for employers who discover unauthorized workers.

Pest Patrol

Food Forethought
USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service urges summer travelers to "join the fight against invasive pests".