Thursday, the U.S. beef and pork industry faced a shortage of processing workers that caused slowdowns at some plants. It was tied to yesterday’s immigration protest of President Trump’s immigrant travel ban. However, Iowa Pork Producers Association CEO Pat McGonegle says he heard of no complete shutdowns at pork facilities.

Nationally, estimated cattle slaughter was only 96,000 head yesterday, with hog slaughter at only 408,000. He says that points out the need for a solution to the agricultural labor shortage.

McGonegle says Congress needs to come up with immigration reform legislation as soon as possible.

McGonegle says there’s always a need for good employees in Iowa in both the production and processing portions of the agricultural industry.