From labor to conservation to federal red tape, a group of Arizona ranchers shared frustrations Tuesday at a discussion with Sen. Mark Kelly in Glendale.
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack was also on the panel, and at one point chided Kelly “to fix the damn immigration system” when talk turned to border issues impacting Arizona’s $23 billion agriculture industry.
The morning gathering took place at Rovey Family Farm, 7711 W. Northern Ave., which was founded in 1943 by Emil Rovey. The outdoors discussion — surrounded by cow pens, muddy walkways and the signature livestock smell — was hosted by Emil’s son Paul Rovey, who still runs the dairy and cattle operation where he was raised and who previously served as chairman of the U.S. Dairy Export Council.
