…gluttony of fruit in stores in February due to a labor strike ending in Mexico. Once those packing lines started back up, Mexican fruit flooded the market and depressed prices. Bellamore said all…
U.S. to End Trade Preference Program for India and Turkey
…as combatting child labor. Other requirements for GSP status include intellectual property protection and affording the U.S. reasonable market access. Each of the countries is being removed from the program…
Nighttime Labor Regulation Language to Be Reviewed in April
Late last year AgNet West reported that new nighttime labor regulation talks that had been going on for several years were quietly moving forward and could be finalized early this…
Perdue Reiterates Need to Restore Original Intent of SNAP
…be full employment. December 2018 data from the Department of Labor announced that job openings reached 7.3 million and that just under 6.3 million Americans were unemployed. USDA’s proposal would…
Mechanical Pruning Becoming More Viable for Grape Producers
Researchers continue to look at how mechanical operations affect crops as labor costs continue to rise. Central Valley wine, table grape and raisin growers gathered in Fresno County to watch…
New Indoor Heat Illness Regulation Draft Lowers Temperature Thresholds
…February 22. “It is incredibly valuable for employers themselves; for growers, packers, shippers, processors, farm labor contractors themselves to speak up and send in comments. In particular, what will the…
Participation Encouraged for the 2019 Labor Survey
California farmers and ranchers are being asked to participate in the 2019 labor survey to establish an accurate baseline of the state’s labor needs. The Farm Employers Labor Service and…
Well-Known Uesugi Farms Closing Doors
…using before.” Uesugi Farms started using H-2A crews in 2018 to fill labor needs. Aiello said he was impressed with the crews and saw more efficient work, however, that labor has even…
SV Ag Tech Summit Focusing On The Present
…event offers lots of education on a multitude of issues facing California agriculture including precision growing, using data to make decisions and of course labor issues. 2019 Salinas Valley Ag…
California Lawmakers Introduce New Immigration Legislation for Ag Workers
…Federation survey found that labor was one of the most concerning industry issues, with more than half of farmers reporting they had a labor shortage. The Senate bill is being…
Navigating the H-2A Guest Worker Program
…the users of the current H-2A program on how to address the labor shortage. “There is a debate on whether to legalize the current group of agriculture laborers, who lack…
Producers Getting Onboard with H-2A Labor Before the Rush
Jackson Family Wines has been using H-2A labor to supplement their needs over the last few years, and Vineyard Manager Bart Haycraft said the merging of the two labor pools…
New Overtime Requirements Need Attention
Several regulatory changes will be affecting the cost of labor this year, including new labor laws that pertain to minimum wage, workday and overtime requirements, as well as paid leave…
Planning Ahead for Your Spring Garden
…other stuff that’ll make the garden more of a success but less labor intensive. Get to know the USDA zone you live in, and then consider what plants to grow…