Immigration

A Conversation With Ag Secretary Rollins on Labor, Disease and MAHA

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 13:33:15 GMT

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins stuck to streamlining the federal government labor rules to alleviate dairy’s worker crisis and said more aggressive measures are coming to prevent and contain disease, in an interview with Dairy Herd Management. Rollins this week was at the joint annual meeting hosted by National Milk Producers Federation, the United Dairy Board and the United Dairy Industry Association in Arlington, Texas.

While there, she said the H-2A visa program is particularly broken for dairy, which requires year-round support instead of seasonal workers. She also said measures, such as mandatory testing for lactating dairy cattle prior to interstate movement, are not aggressive enough to address modern biosecurity threats.

Below is a summary of Dairy Herd’s 20-minute conversation with Rollins, who discussed labor, disease prevention as well as her feelings on the “Make America Healthy Again” movement.

What Federal Efforts Are in the Works to Ensure Adequate Labor for U.S. Dairies?

One of the central concerns among dairy producers, and the entire industry, is comprehensive immigration reform. To put it in perspective, more than two-thirds of today’s 9.36 million dairy cows are milked by immigrant laborers in the U.S., according to the National Milk Producers Federation.

Currently, the H-2A visa applies strictly to seasonal or temporary labor. Dairy operations, however, require consistent, skilled workers every day of the year. Milking and caring for cows, managing processing facilities and ensuring food safety are daily tasks that don’t pause between seasons. This mismatch leaves dairy farmers and processors nationwide without a legal means to fulfill their guestworker needs.

In addition to the need for year-round help, Secretary Rollins notes farmers must interact with three different federal agencies to use the H-2A program. Moreover, the costs associated with securing labor have significantly increased, with reports from farmers in south Texas indicating average hourly costs, including transportation and housing, reaching $30 to $35 per hour. Comparatively, similar labor across the border is $2 per hour, Rollins says, illustrating a system that is both unsustainable and inherently unfair.

Ideally, any H-2A program changes will reduce costs and red tape, but comprehensive solutions ultimately require congressional action.

In addition to visa programs, Secretary Rollins says the current administration remains focused on sealing borders and mass deportations.

“Everyone understands the dynamics of an open border, and the millions and millions, we’re unable to count how many, that crossed during the last administration. The President’s No. 1 promise as a candidate in 2022 through 2024 was sealing the border and mass deportations,” she says. “Looking at this challenge through the lens of understanding labor is absolute when we can’t feed ourselves, combined with where we are in terms of immigration, those are the nuances.”

How is the Administration Addressing Threats to Animal Ag?
On day 1, after being sworn in as Secretary of Ag, Rollins was briefed on HPAI . She made it clear that while some measures, such as mandatory testing for lactating dairy cattle prior to interstate movement , had been enacted, a broader and more aggressive approach is necessary. Recognizing that maintaining the status quo was insufficient, a comprehensive strategy was essential — not just from USDA but across the entire federal government.

“I realize there are lots of opinions on my boss, President Trump, but I think the one thing that most people would agree on is that he leaves it all in the field. And, that we have to do everything we can for this moment that we were given to fix a very broken system, whatever that system may look like, in this case, which is animal disease,” Rollins says.

In February 2025, the Trump administration set forth a five-point plan to combat HPAI . Rollins notes the dairy sector, in particular, showcased remarkable adaptability to HPAI threats, demonstrating industry resilience and proactive measures.

Significant investments, such as a $100 million innovation grant , have been allocated to explore vaccines and therapeutic solutions. However, the complexities of viral mutations necessitate caution, especially regarding vaccination strategies, to prevent potentially more dangerous strains from emerging.

“I think we’re going to make more progress than perhaps has been made. Having said that, it’s a virus and the virus always wins,” she says, noting they are worried about New World screwworm and took aggressive actions to combat that by closing several ports.

“We’ve not imported new animals, which is one of the reasons beef prices are up, but we are looking now to figure out how to start reopening ports. I think we’ve gotten our arms around exactly what the problem is,” she says. “We’re building out new sterile fly facilities, which is the only way we eradicated it 30 to 40 years ago, but we have a really good system in place.”

Rollins shares collaborations with international counterparts are stronger, creating an unprecedented partnership with Mexican authorities to manage and preempt future animal agriculture outbreaks effectively. Enhanced border protocols, including disinfection and ivermectin treatments for imports, underscore a commitment to protecting livestock health.

“I feel confident that we are aggressively attacking all pieces of NWS,” she says.

What Does the MAHA Movement’s Mean for Dairy?
The “Make America Healthy Again” movement aims to revamp the nation’s food system, and Rollins offers reassurance dairy products at the forefront.

“Health care costs too much. We’re not getting the care we need, especially to vulnerable populations. How do we fix that?” she asks. “Over the last year, it is completely flipped to, what are Americans eating? What are we serving in our schools? What are we serving in our SNAP program, which 42 million Americans are on the food stamp program.”

While the current economic situation is troubling, Rollins is confident in the long-term potential for profitability and sustainability in the dairy industry.

“What milk, cheese and other dairy products mean as we completely and fundamentally shift our entire food system is our dairy industry is at the very front tip of the spear,” she says, noting the response markets are answering and the dairy industry, too, with the $11 billion in new processing plants, U.S. dairy is riding a wave of momentum that is fueled by consumer demand.

“In the long term, I’m not sure there is an agriculture industry that has more to gain and that will see more of a pivot toward real profitability and real sustainability than this [dairy] industry. I could not be more excited to help lead on that,” she says.

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The Labor Conundrum: Navigating Workforce Shortages in the U.S.

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 14:49:27 GMT

In recent years, discussions around the slowing growth rate of the U.S. labor force have intensified. Rob Fox from CoBank highlights a pressing issue in the company’s latest quarterly report: the potential drag on economic growth due to labor supply constraint.

While the urgency of the problem seemed to subside temporarily, recent developments have brought it back into focus.

Demographic Challenges
Eighteen years ago, the U.S. boasted a fertility rate of 2.12 children per woman, surpassing the level necessary for a stable population. However, the economic upheaval caused by the Great Financial Crisis led to a significant decline in births, a trend that continues to this day. The fertility rate as of 2023 has dropped to 1.62 children per woman. The impact of these “missing births” is now becoming evident as this age cohort begins entering adulthood, coinciding with the retirement of the baby boomer generation. This demographic shift presents a dual blow to the labor market.

Fox says adopting technology — most obviously AI and robotics — will likely be at the core of any strategy to address oncoming labor shortages.

Participation Rates
Another pressing issue is the downward trend in labor force participation rates since 2000. Currently at 62%, a stark decline from the peak of 67%, this translates to approximately 9.7 million potential workers lost.

“Worryingly, this trend may be accelerating: 2.4 million working-aged people have dropped out of the labor force in the past eight months alone,” Fox says, noting some reasons include increased caregiving responsibilities, job skill obsolescence, mental health challenges and rising disability rates.

Immigration as a Balancing Act
For a brief period, immigration helped offset the labor shortage. Humanitarian crises, less restrictive immigration policies, and strong labor demand attracted nearly 9 million immigrants to the U.S. between 2022 and 2024. However, since late 2024, immigration levels have sharply declined. Additionally, the Trump administration’s plan to deport 1 million undocumented immigrants further complicates the scenario. Without a reversal in participation rates or policy changes, the worker pool will continue to shrink.

Agricultural Implication
These labor issues are particularly acute in rural areas, affecting industries like agriculture. Richard Stup from Cornell Cooperative Extension underscores the diminishing labor pool available for farm work. Countries like Mexico — historically a source of agricultural labor — are experiencing similar demographic changes. Economic improvements in these countries reduce the impetus for migration, further tightening labor availability.

“[The population in] Mexico, going forward, will begin to actually shrink,” he says. “It’s not just Mexico. There are a lot of countries in this situation.”

In addition to a smaller pool of workers willing to fill on-farm vacancies, economic opportunities in these countries — such as an increase in Mexico’s inflation-adjusted dollars — are reducing the push factor for migration.

“It means there’s more economic activity, there’s more job opportunity and there’s less push to leave Mexico and go to the U.S. for dollars,” he says. “There’s still a lot of push to come up here, but it’s not what it used to be.”

When looking at the data, Stup notes fewer young people are looking for work.

“The average age of foreign-born employees is about 42 years,” he says. For comparison, the average age of U.S. born employees on farms is 36 years old.

Stup says technology will be used in places where the work is repetitive and heavy manual labor. He also underscores the need for retention programs and attracting a diverse pool of workers. Skills such as critical and systems thinking, data savviness and comfort with animals will be essential for future dairy workers. Education, whether formal or through on-the-job training, is equally important.

The decreasing labor supply poses significant challenges that could hinder U.S. economic growth if not addressed. Without strategic interventions in demographic policies, a shift in immigration approaches, or incentives to boost labor participation, the labor market’s stability remains at risk.

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Increased I-9 Audits Forcing Dairies to Fire Employees, Exposing Immigration Flaws; There is a Short-Term Fix

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 11:08:32 GMT

Nervousness and frustrations are spreading across the dairy industry. It’s not U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement (ICE) raids causing the uneasiness. There’s now an increase in I-9 audits targeting dairies.

At least nine dairies were targeted with I-9 audits over the weekend, according a source in the dairy industry. That follows a South Dakota dairy who was surprised by an audit earlier this month. With reported flaws in the E-Verify system, the audits are resulting in dairies being forced to fire employees who are found to have illegal documents and only given 10 days to do so.

“I’ve heard it from both Texas and South Dakota dairy producers that they are having I-9 audits,” says Rick Naerebout, CEO of the Idaho Dairymen’s Association. “Uncertain as to the timing if these audits were triggered before Trump came out and said he was going to pause enforcement on farms. Really, we haven’t seen the same level of enforcement on farms since he came out a few weeks ago and made those public statements. You’ve had some other public statements that have somewhat conflicted that, but it does feel like there’s a different posture from this administration right now.”

There have been reports of ICE raids in other areas, but the increase in I-9 audits is isolated to mainly two states: South Dakota and Texas so far.

“Honestly, what’s a little bit curious about that is those are both red states, and there seems to have been a focus more on blue states and red states. And you, one of those states seems to be the [Secretary Noem’s] home state,” he adds. “So, there’s some curiousness to it all. I’m really not sure what’s triggering these I-9 audits. Typically, our experience in Idaho when we’ve had a dairy producer go through an I-9, it’s usually triggered by a former employee complaining after they’ve been let go. That’s been kind of the trigger is somebody complaining and then DHS coming in and and conducting an I-9 audit after there’s been an accusation of employment of unauthorized individuals, but really not sure, you know, what triggered these in those two states.”

What the Dairy Industry is Pushing to Change

Even though it seems to be isolated to South Dakota and Texas, it’s creating a nervousness on dairies across the country. And that’s because of the increased issues it’s causing with labor.

The dairy industry seems to be on an island when it comes to finding a legal workforce. Dairies aren’t seasonal, therefore they can’t utilize H-2A , and that’s something the dairy industry is pushing to change.

John Boelts, an Arizona farmer who’s also president of Arizona Farm Bureau, says the farther you get from the border, the more challenging it is to find enough labor within agriculture.

“We need programs that really address what we need in agriculture as far as on a labor basis,” Boelts says. “Many will point to H-2A and say, ‘Well, you have an uncapped H-2A guest worker program,’ and that’s a valid point. However, I’d like to point out that H-2A was designed very keenly not to work very well, to be cumbersome, challenging, expensive, all of the things that don’t fit very well into an agricultural model. That said, it’s the lifeline that American agriculture has today.”

H-2A is a program widely used in agriculture, but one that has drawn criticism for not only the rising cost, but also how complex it is. Those in agriculture argue the system, as it exists today, doesn’t do enough to cover the vastness of American agriculture. That includes dairy farms, dairy processors and produce processors.

And while H-2A is far from perfect, the dairy industry can’t use H-2A today, the one guest worker program that does exist, according to Donald Grady, the senior director of legislative affairs at the international dairy foods association.

“The H-2A program, while it works for large swaths of agriculture doesn’t work for dairy. And because of the fact that dairy is a 365-day-a-year operation, it doesn’t matter — Christmas, New Year’s, your birthday — cows must get milked. And that milk needs to get processed for Americans to safely consume it,” Grady says. “So we are looking to be able to expand the H-2A program so that dairy operations on-farm and in the plant can have another tool in their toolbox to meet their labor needs.”

Changes Are Needed to H-2A to Include Dairies

Grady says for dairy to be able to use the H-2A program in the U.S., the seasonality requirements in the program would need to change to year round. That’s one fix.

“But for processors, we need another specific change, and that is a change to the definition of agriculture, labor and services,” Grady says. “Right now, it does not include processing that does not happen on the farm. So, if you’re on a farm like a packing house for a fruit and vegetable operation, you can still use H-2A workers in that packing plant. But if that packing plan were just across the street and not on the farm, you couldn’t use those workers there. Dairy, obviously, the processing is largely located away from the farm. And so for us to be able to access H-2A, we need to change the definition of ag labor and services so that processing can be included.”

It’s a short-term fix, for what the dairy industry calls a long-term problem. Labor issues have plagued the dairy industry for decades, and it’s a situation that’s only getting worse.

“We need to figure out how we can simply improve our labor pool so that we can meet the needs that we have,” Grady says. “I think as we hear from our IDFA members across the board, we are down about 10% on our labor needs. That accounts to thousands and thousands and thousands of workers. When you look at the fact that we are over 3 million in the dairy manufacturing, retail and marketing side. So when you’re looking at just in the plant, that’s thousands of workers that we need. And this is a tool that would be able to help us in the immediacy.”

There is Momentum for Change

Even though there’s an increase in I-9 audits on dairies, leaders within the dairy industry say for the first time in nearly two decades, there does seem to be momentum for changes to the H-2A program and address the pain points with the current immigration system.

“You do hear some really good things coming from the administration right now about trying to solve the farm labor crisis, and it’s never had this amount of focus from any president, serious amount of focus, and it feels like there’s a serious amount of focus and an earnest desire to try and do something to solve our problem for us, which is a blessing,” Naerebout says. “We’ve been rebuffed by both Republican and Democrat presidencies in the past. We’ve been rebuffed by Republican and Democratic controlled Congresses, and to have a president take this issue on and begin to try and address it, and he and some of his secretaries have taken some pretty strong heat for for trying to solve this problem from his base, but he seems to be really, you know, earnest in trying to find a solution for us.”

E-Verify System is Also Exposing Flaws

One dairy operation was forced to fire nearly 40 employees, as they still scramble to find employees to back fill those jobs. That’s creating a new concern: Are the labor shortages a matter of animal welfare?

“I don’t think we’re quite there,” Naerebout says. “That’s always a concern, especially if you have a number of these audits that happen in a given area, and if you see a response like we saw in New Mexico a month or two ago where the response to that I-9 audit seemed to be DHS showing up and, you know, hauling workers away. That’s new.”

It’s not like these dairies are knowingly hiring individuals with false records. All dairy farms are required to use the E-Verify system, but the recent focus on finding illegal immigrants has exposed another issue: The E-Verify system is also flawed.

It’s a system that’s been used for more than two decades. For employers to make sure they are hiring legal immigrants, they use E-Verify, which is a government program that verifies those employees are authorized to work in the U.S.

In other words, these dairy operations are hiring employees who have been vetted through the E-Verify system. Yet, once an I-9 audit happens, it’s exposing that some of those employees submitted either illegal paperwork, or forms that weren’t theirs. And there’s no way for a dairy to know. That’s what the E-Verify system is meant to do.

It’s a long-standing frustration for dairies who’ve always been exposed to I-9 audits. It’s just until recently, the I-9 audits haven’t been as frequent.

“I definitely feel it’s flawed,” Naerebout says. “We also feel very strongly that it should not be on the employer to determine legal status of people in the country. That should be the job of the federal government. They shouldn’t be putting that on any employer, whether it’s agriculture or any other sector of the economy. That’s an unfair burden to put on the employer.”

What Needs to Happen Long-Term to Fix the Immigration System for Agriculture?

What needs to happen in the long-term? That solution lies with Congress. In order for the U.S. to address immigration laws that were written in 1986, it will take an act of Congress.

“We need to figure out how we can create a system that benefits our farmers by giving them access to workers and benefits the workers so that they can be able to cross the border legally and safely without having to feel like they’re going to get trapped in their home country and not be able to come back and work or feel as though they have to use different means to try and get into this country,” Grady says.

“We need a system that would benefit workers just as much as employers, but it’s the employers who need the workers for sure,” Boelts says.

The reality for growers like Boelts is no matter how high of wages producers pay, they are having more trouble finding the labor needed to fuel the U.S. with fresh produce and food.

“The challenge is for the American consumers, they need to look at it from a fairness standpoint,” Boelts says. “A worker working in Mexico harvesting broccoli or lettuce that then is shipped into the United States, might make $20 a day. Where we’re often offering around $20 plus an hour to work here in the United States. So it just doesn’t make sense. There’s really no reason why we shouldn’t be producing for the U.S. market right here in the U.S.”

Agriculture argues Congress needs to step in. Boelts says he is appreciative for an administration that is listening to farmers. So, what would Boelts tell the Trump administration when it comes to immigration? It’s this:

“I would ask the president and Secretary Rollins to take on a position of leadership, speak to both Republicans and Democrats in the House and Senate, and say, ‘Look, you’ve been hearing about this for years from farmers and ranchers all over the country. We all know what needs to happen. We need to reform agricultural workers, the public policy governing folks coming into the country, both temporarily and permanently. We need options for agricultural producers.’”

Boelts says the solution can’t just be the argument that there is a temporary guest worker program that exists today, because that system is been broken.

“We have cows that need to be milked, livestock that needs to be tended day in and day out, sometimes year round, sometimes temporarily. We needed a program that’s designed to work for American agriculture, period,” Boelts says.

Naerebout agrees that even with the headlines focused on ICE raids, and now increased audits, President Donald Trump is listening to farmers and fixing what many argue is a broken immigration system, and we might finally see some solutions.

“We’ve not had this kind of traction with an administration ever on this issue,” he says. “Maybe Reagan, but I was 7 years old when Ronald Reagan worked on this issue back in 1986, so I can’t really speak to what the mood was then, but we’re cautiously optimistic here in Idaho. We’re watching what the president’s saying, we’re continuing to stay in close contact with our Senate and congressional offices to continue to make sure that when they get the opportunities to put a bug in the president’s ear, and anybody in the administration’s ear about our needs, that that’s happening.”

Naerebout says after 20 plus years, he thinks agriculture finally has a legitimate chance on solving a problem that’s been plaguing the industry. And that solution needs to not only come from the White House, but the long-term fix needs to be addressed by Congress.

The Impact of Immigration Reform on U.S. Dairy Farms

Mon, 27 Jan 2025 20:10:06 GMT

The conversation surrounding mass deportation has sparked widespread debate across various sectors of the American economy. Among these, the dairy industry stands out, heavily reliant on immigrant labor to keep up with production demands. Recent reports highlight this dependency, showing that over half of all dairy labor is performed by immigrant workers. In fact, dairies employing immigrant laborers contribute to 79% of the U.S. milk supply. This statistic, brought to attention by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), emphasizes the crucial role of immigrant workers in maintaining this industry.

Growing Reliance on Immigrant Workforce
Dr. Robert Hagevoort of New Mexico State University, in his presentation at the Dairy Cattle Reproduction Council (DCRC) Annual Meetings in Arlington, Texas, in mid-November, suggests that the figures from the NMPF report, dating back to 2015, may even underestimate the current reliance on immigrant labor.

“Dairy herd sizes have grown considerably and so have the number of employees on the farm,” he says.

Reflecting on past immigration policies, Jaime Castaneda, executive vice president of policy development and strategy for the NMPF, points out that immigration issues are not new to the industry. He references President Obama’s administration, which saw significant immigration enforcement actions, resulting in the deportation of 2.7 million individuals over eight years. As a result, President Obama was often labeled the “Deporter in Chief.”

Fast forward, and with newly re-elected President Trump’s tenure, there is an anticipation of stricter immigration policies. His campaign’s promise to tighten illegal immigration has started taking shape through a series of executive actions aimed at revamping the U.S. immigration framework. This has put the dairy industry on high alert.

Preparing for Possible Enforcement Actions
With an estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, dairy producers are advised to stay vigilant and prepared. Castaneda urges dairy owners to keep necessary documentation, such as I-9 forms, social security copies, and identification like driver’s licenses, well-organized and readily accessible. Ensuring all paperwork is in compliance with federal and state laws is paramount if faced with an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) inspection.

Farm owners are also encouraged to have open dialogues with their employees, advising them against actions that might attract legal attention, such as minor traffic violations. Moreover, Castaneda suggests that dairy farmers communicate with peers in the community who also rely on immigrant workers to foster a supportive network.

The Indispensable Role of Immigrants
Voicing a critical perspective on the ultimate survival of U.S. dairy without immigrant labor, Rick Naerebout, CEO of Idaho Dairymen’s Association, asserts that American citizens are typically unwilling to undertake these demanding jobs.

“Americans don’t want these jobs,” he says, underscoring the necessity for immigration reforms that are not only fiscally viable but also ethically sound, benefiting Idaho and the broader United States.

The continued viability of the U.S. dairy industry heavily depends on the backbone provided by immigrant labor. As the nation grapples with immigration policy debates, the livelihoods of those within the dairy sector hang in balance, underscoring the urgent need for balanced reform that considers both economic imperatives and humanitarian values.

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What The Trump Administration's Mass Deportation Plans Could Mean for Agriculture

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:47:42 GMT

Farmers and food industry leaders are warning that President-elect Donad Trump’s plans to deport millions of immigrants could devastate agriculture — an industry in which immigrants make up a good chunk of the workforce.

Nearly half of all farmworkers are undocumented, and industries such as dairy and meatpacking plants are especially vulnerable to labor shortages.

“Admittedly, there are some people who slip through,” says Scott VanderWal, vice president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “Perspective employers are required to take documentation that appears to be legal and valid. There are times when that’s not the case and then ICE [U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement] comes in and cleans house, the workers disappear and go wherever they take them and the employers are left without help.”

While the H-2A visa program has grown, it only covers seasonal work and cannot replace year-round jobs at meat processing plants and on dairy and pork farms.

“Our packing plants need labor. Many of our farms use temporary visa labor — educated, skilled individuals work on our sow farms,” says Lori Stevemer, president of the National Pork Producers Council. “We have been experiencing an increased number of denials over the past year, which really makes it a challenge to find workers. The H-2A visa doesn’t work well when we have animals that need care 24/7, year-round.”

Experts say mass deportations would disrupt food production, raise prices and jeopardize the stability of U.S. agriculture.

Deportation falls under the Department of Homeland Security. President-elect Trump has selected South Dakota Republican Gov. Kristi Noem to lead that agency.

“With Governor Noem at the helm, she’s going to bring common sense to that discussion and make sure we don’t close businesses, make sure we get everyone in line, get the workforce in line and then make sure we’re following our country’s rules,” says Hunter Roberts, secretary of South Dakota’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Meanwhile, farm groups continue to urge for reforms to immigration policies or a guest worker program to secure a stable workforce.

“At the same time as controlling the border, we need to overhaul our labor system,” VanderWal says. “We need to make H-2A apply to your own workers or come up with a decent program that will help.”

We need some type of H-2A visa reform to allow those workers to stay year-round, Stevemer adds.

Even then immigration is likely to continue to be a political hot potato in 2025, and labor shortages will continue to top the list of challenges for agriculture.