An Iowa State University Study commissioned by the National Pork Producers Council showed several factors leading to a decline of immigrants going into rural labor markets. ISU Economist Chris Boessen, one of the study’s authors says the pork industry in the last twenty years has changed to a more high tech type of business that hired a lot of workers.
He says their study shows the labor market has tightened up in major hog producing states.
Boessen says it’s been more than just a change in U.S. immigration policy that’s led to a lack of foreign ag workers.
NPPC officials say in addition to this study, data compiled by USDA’s Economic Research Service shows that a reduction in the foreign born workforce prompted by a change in immigration policy would not be offset by native born workers and permanent residents. NPPC is backing Congressional legislation calling for an H-2C visa to allow non seasonal foreign ag workers to stay in the U.S. for up to three years.
