This paper discusses factors affecting livestock production and labor use in North
American livestock and meat markets. Part One considers the comparative advantage of
livestock production with particular focus on Mexico relative to the U.S. Some aspects of the
discussion will consider pork and poultry production as well and some of the implications will
apply to Canada relative to Mexico as well. Part Two is an overview of labor use in livestock
markets and will focus primarily on the demand for labor in U.S. livestock and meat industries.
This section will also include consideration of the cultural and economic factors influencing the
supply of Mexican labor available for agricultural production in the U.S., with specific focus on
Mexican labor use in livestock and meat production in the U.S.