Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has acknowledged the growing concerns over labor shortages in agriculture, stating that the issue has come up in nearly every conversation since she took office. Speaking at the USDA’s annual Agriculture Outlook Forum in Arlington, Va., Rollins emphasized that labor remains a top priority for the industry.
“Almost every single conversation, every single one, labor comes up, so it’s clearly a top issue,” Rollins said during her address.
Her remarks come at a time when the agricultural sector is grappling with uncertainty surrounding President Donald Trump’s immigration policies, which include mass deportation efforts and stricter border security measures. Rollins reassured the industry that she understands these concerns and will advocate for agricultural labor needs.
“The entire industry is talking about President Trump’s promise, which I fully support, of securing the border and mass deportation,” Rollins said. “I realize a lot of our ag community is very concerned about labor and what President Trump’s vision — and the execution of that vision very quickly — will be. My message is that, listen, he understands the challenges to our community. … I’ll be there to advocate and make sure that ag views are being heard.”
Rollins also pointed out that existing seasonal labor programs, such as the H-2A visa program, do not fully address the industry’s needs, particularly for sectors like dairy, where year-round labor is required. “The H-2A is very helpful and important to many of our producers. But to many like the dairy industry, you can’t milk a cow six months a year,” she said.
Her comments highlight the continued struggle within the agriculture sector to secure a reliable workforce while balancing evolving immigration policies. The livestock and pork industries, which rely heavily on immigrant labor for daily operations, remain particularly affected by these developments.
Rollins spoke via video link after canceling her in-person appearance due to “travel challenges.” Swine Web will continue to follow how the USDA navigates these labor concerns and what policy adjustments may arise in response to industry demands.
