By Scout Nelson
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) recently shared significant updates on farm labour and livestock in the Northern Plains Region, which includes Kansas, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
In October 2024, farm workers in the region totalled 42,000, a 2% decrease from the previous year. Despite the drop, wages showed a positive trend, with workers earning an average of $20.48 per hour, a 6% increase compared to October 2023. Field workers received an average hourly wage of $21.16, while livestock workers earned $17.51 per hour.
Nebraska feedlots with a capacity of 1,000 or more cattle reported an increase in numbers. On November 1, these feedlots contained 2.59 million cattle, up 2% from the previous year. This reflects growing feedlot activity in the region.
In other agricultural news, Senate Democrats have urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deny re-registration applications for dicamba, a controversial herbicide. The request highlights ongoing concerns about its environmental impact.
Additionally, food costs remain a pressing issue for voters. According to an Associated Press (AP) VoteCast survey, approximately 7 in 10 voters expressed significant concern about rising grocery prices. The concern was nearly equal among women (70%) and men (63%).
These updates underscore the dynamic nature of agricultural operations, labour trends, and consumer concerns in the Northern Plains Region, reflecting the ongoing challenges and developments in the sector.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-digitalvision
Categories: Nebraska, General, Livestock, Dairy Cattle