Mike Pearson takes a look at the stalled talks between the International Longshoremen's Association and the U.S. Maritime Alliance and the impact on agriculture.

The problem is many agriculture commodities and specialty ag exports like beef and crops depend on the U.S. port system.

The road block between the workers and labor officials is automation.

The USMX has proposed semi-automation which would mean driverless cranes.

One big problem is that automation wasn't supposed to be a part of the labor negotiations but USMX is pushing it.

The ILMA claims automation threatens job security and claims humans are more productive.

The USMX claims automation is critical on ports to handle the growing shipment size and improve productivity. They emphasize it would not eliminate jobs but instead modernize the ports to ensure long term competitiveness.

A delay in the talks could severely impair the farmer's ability to ship exports.

The situation is being closely monitored.

There are concerns that if talks don't resume then U.S> farmers could lose the ability to capitalize on the world's appetite for proteins.

Farm Progress America is a daily look at key issues in agriculture. It is produced and presented by Mike Pearson, farm broadcaster and host of This Week in Agribusiness.

Related:Farm Progress America, Dec. 13, 2024