June 2024 - 12

LABOR REPORT
since they are basing these numbers off a workforce of
U.S. workers that does not exist. I would like to continue
to grow my business, but I will not be able to due to new
added costs on labor. "
Decreased use of H-2A: 16% mentioned using the H-2A
program less or considering discontinuing its use due to
the new wage requirements.
Regulatory burden: Approximately 14% of respondents
found the legal process and associated regulations
burdensome.
" Too complicated, we need our same people to return
every year, " a grower stated.
" We are not sure how much longer we will be able to
afford to participate in this program, " another grower
wrote. " It has become so expensive, the bottom line is
very thin. "
Impact on crop production: While a smaller percentage
(7%) mentioned reducing acreage or crops requiring
hand labor due to wage requirements, the impact on crop
production remains a concern.
" We are lowering the amount of acres we produce on
in order to cut costs, " a grower wrote. " If the costs are
not lowered, we are considering getting out of fruit all
together. That's a big decision as we are fifth generation
growers. It's a huge national food security problem that
needs to be addressed. "
Concerns about future viability: A notable 9% expressed
concerns about the future viability of their farming
operations if wage requirements continue to rise.
" We have been removing crops that require hand labor
because prices for wages are no longer profitable, " a
grower stated.
Coping strategies
With labor shortages persisting, growers are exploring
various strategies to cope:
Automation: A quarter of respondents (26%) noted
that they are considering automation to mitigate labor
shortages, with harvesting (64%) and weed control
(53%) being the most common areas targeted.
Growing less: More than half (54%) are contemplating
growing fewer crops to manage labor constraints.
Other strategies: Diverse approaches include exploring
alternative labor sources, adjusting marketing
* Gentle: Sorts by size without bruising peaches, apples, mushrooms
and fresh tomatoes.
* Accurate: Precisely grades grape tomatoes, cherries, nuts and small
berries, maintaining that accuracy for larger products including
cantaloupes and pineapple.
* Fast: Thirteen standard models custom-designed to meet your needs.
Sort from 1,000 lbs./hr to 150,000 lbs./hr.
* Simple: Effective but simple design provides a rugged, low cost, low
maintenance machine at a high value to our customers. It can even be
used in the field!
* Versatile: Specialized rollers allow for accurate sizing of round products
(potatoes, onions and citrus), long products (carrots, russets and
cucumbers) and irregular products (bell peppers, jalapenos and garlic.
KERIAN MACHINES INC.
1709 Hwy 81 S, P.O. Box 311, Grafton, N.D. 58237
Phone: (701) 352-0480 * Fax: (701) 352-3776
Web site: www.kerian.com * E-Mail: sales@kerian.com
12 | JUNE 2024
https://treco.nu/ https://kerian.com/ http://www.kerian.com
June 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of June 2024
