The U.S. Department of Labor on Feb. 27 announced it would publish a final rule to amend how the adverse effect wage rates for the H-2A program are set to improve the rates’ consistency and accuracy based on the actual work performed by H-2A workers and to better prevent their employment negatively affecting the wages of similarly employed U.S. workers.

In the gripping finale of our 2023 NCBA coverage, Bridgette Readel of Rural Minds discusses mental health resources in rural America; the University of Tennessee’s Troy Rowan gives producers advice on developing a bull-buying game plan; and Dave Weaber from Terrain talks through ways the industry can rebuild the national cow herd after drought.

The Senate voted quickly on Thursday to approve a labor agreement that avoids a major railway work stoppage in the midst of the holiday season and fears of more inflationary triggers. The bipartisan measure was approved by a 80-15 vote.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, a division of the Department of Transportation, has denied an application filed by several ag groups for exemptions from certain requirements of the hours-of-service rules for drivers transporting livestock, insects and aquatic animals.

The debate on cattle market transparency continues to take the spotlight on Capitol Hill, with legislation including the 2022 Cattle Price Transparency Act and the 2022 Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act taking center stage. 

The USDA on July 20 revised the payment rate for its Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP), nearly tripling compensation for young calves lost to producers. LIP payments, which are distributed through FSA, are based on 75% of “average fair market value.”