Washington, D.C. — The U.S. House is expected to take up a pair of bills soon dealing with immigration reform, both of which could have a significant impact on Iowa’s largest industry.
Mitch Schulte, executive director of the Iowa State Dairy Association, says there is a critical shortage of labor in all sectors of U.S. agriculture.
(As above) “We pay extremely competitive wages and we offer several different benefits out on our dairy farms,” Schulte says. “Housing is sometimes even included, but it’s still hard to get people to be an active labor source for us and a reliable labor source. In a lot of situations, we have no choice but to turn to foreign labor.”
Schulte says much of what’s contained in the Farm Workforce Modernization Act would help solve the ag labor problems which dairy producers are facing.
(As above) “We need ag labor reform. We need a reliable workforce,” Schulte says. “I strongly urge all of our representatives to look into this, see the benefits that it would provide for our dairy industry and our ag community.”
Some lawmakers say they’ll oppose any immigration reform until the legislation includes securing the U.S. border from undocumented immigrants. Schulte says he believes both border security and ag labor reform can be achieved. Besides the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, the House is also expected to discuss a DACA measure that would impact young people who have entered the country illegally.
