Dairy Farms Need Labor and Immigration Reform

Jim Mulhern, President of the National Milk Producers Federation, was in front of a House subcommittee this week testifying on the future of dairy policy.

Part of that conversation focused on labor needs and Mulhern said that many of the programs available are for more seasonal crops.

“We’re milking these cows two and three times a day so in many farms it’s around the clock labor force. It’s anything but seasonal or temporary.”

The H-2A visa program, which grants temporary status for immigrants for the purposes of work doesn’t fit dairy needs according to Mulhern.

That’s why some dairy producers are turning to other ways to manage their operations with Mulhern noting that they will sometimes turn to undocumented workers.

“Our members understand the importance of border security and enforcement and support that, but along with that has to come a system of legal status for workers on our farms so that they have an ability to have a legal permit to do work and move back and forth and have a system for the future as well.”

Mulhern saijd automation and advances in mechanical methods can help some operations, but will be cost prohibitive for many farmers.