How MU Extension Supports Swine Farms with TN Visa Talent

By Blake Jackson

University of Missouri Extension specialists are collaborating with the swine industry and TN visa holders to help recruit, develop and retain skilled agriculture professionals amid ongoing farm labor shortages.

The TN visa program, created in 1994 under the North American Free Trade Agreement and now governed by the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, allows U.S. employers to hire qualified agricultural professionals from Mexico and Canada.

Unlike the H-2A program, which focuses on seasonal labor, TN visas support year-round professional positions an important benefit for swine operations, says Mag Lopez, a livestock specialist with University of Missouri Extension who leads the National Pork Board funded project.

“These workers are a unique and important part of the workforce, especially in livestock and particularly in swine production,” he says.

MU Extension state swine breeding specialist Tim Safranski says the effort helps address persistent labor shortages in rural swine-producing regions while supporting animal health and farm profitability.

The initiative began with a bilingual survey of about 260 TN visa workers across major hog-producing states. Missouri ranks seventh nationally in pork production, raising about 3.5 million hogs annually and employing more than 22,000 people, according to the Missouri Department of Agriculture.

Swine producers make significant investments to bring TN visa workers to the U.S., including housing and transportation, Lopez says. High turnover can be costly and disruptive. A 2021 study documented an average annual turnover rate of 92% for full-time swine positions.

“MU Extension is dedicated to making the onboarding and retention process smooth for the employer and employee to reduce turnover costs,” Lopez says.

Survey results show more than 87% of TN visa workers hold bachelor’s degrees, with 10% holding master’s degrees. Many earned degrees in non-English-speaking institutions.

“You can’t train these workers the same way you train others,” Lopez says. “Where they come from influences how you manage.”

“They want a better life,” Lopez says. “And helping them succeed contributes to a more sustainable and profitable U.S. swine industry.”

Photo Credit: istock-deyanarobova