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LAS VEGAS — Election-year politics will present a big challenge to reform efforts for H-2A regulations, but growers must be prepared to lobby for changes in the increasingly important farm labor program.

Canada’s government is exempting foreign nationals who have committed to working in agriculture from COVID-19 travel bans.

Senator Dianne Feinstein has added her voice to industry leaders asking for timely processing of Mexican H-2A workers needed to harvest U.S. produce crops.

A new temporary rule will allow H-2A workers to stay in the U.S. beyond the current three-year maximum and should give U.S. growers a bigger pool of guest farmworkers to fill their needs.

Seeking wage relief for U.S. growers using foreign guest workers, the National Council of Agricultural Employers still wants the U.S. Department of Labor to determine if U.S. workers are hurt by the H-2A program.

Though unlikely to get much support from Democrats, a bill from Rep. Ted Yoho (R-Fla.), aims to establish a year-round ag guest-worker program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

A California startup, Vinergy Inc., has equipment it says will improve vineyard efficiency by reducing a labor-intensive part of harvest — transporting grapes to the end of rows.

Three federal agencies are hosting a web seminar to update food companies on COVID-19 pandemic operating guidelines.

The California Fresh Fruit Association and California Farmworker Foundation have distributed more than 50,000 N-95 masks and single-use surgical masks to agricultural workers in the Central San Joaquin Valley.

Stemilt Growers has achieved a three-year Equitable Food Initiative certification at its Quincy, Wash., apple and cherry orchard operation. The company has plans to expand the program, according to a news release.