14 Follow us on @PrairieFarming Better Farming | September 2024 NEW HIRING STRATEGIES As the agriculture industry continues to evolve, so does its need for labourers. Many farms across the Prairies have challenges finding employees, making it difficult to complete daily tasks while growing their businesses. Jennifer Wright, executive director of the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC), says that as the labour shortage grows, some farmers may consider reducing inputs and production or leaving the industry. “The labour shortage in Canadian agriculture is continuing to grow. What we are seeing through our research and work with producers is that it is now affecting inputs they are putting in,” says Wright. “We are seeing a change in business models and are hearing that some producers leave the industry because of these shortages. It is changing the amount of work they have on their farm and the amount of stress which is placed on themselves and other employees while making sure the work gets done.” In 2023, CAHRC published an Agricultural Labour Market Forecast using data from a 2022 survey. In this report, they estimated that more than 100,000 jobs may have been unfilled during the peak agricultural season of 2022. Some 71,000 jobs went to foreign workers and approximately 28,000 positions were left unfilled. The report also estimates that due to the aging population of farmers, the industry will see more than 85,000 retirements before 2030, contributing to the expected 15 per cent increase in the labour gap. Steve Brackenridge, farmer, equipment consultant and grain elevator owner, believes that the industry can be attractive to new workers. “There are vast opportunities for people to work in agriculture,” says Brackenridge. “It can be a fulfilling and rewarding career for anyone who chooses to get into it.” How is the labour shortage impacting production and how are farmers managing it? Cause and effect The population of rural communities has been changing, and at the same time, agriculture has been rapidly evolving to keep pace with technological advancements. “The Canadian population is changing. Overall, the population is aging, so the Canadian workforce is aging, and all industries are facing labour shortages to some degree,” says Wright. SCARCITY OF EMPLOYEES IS PROMPTING NEW APPROACHES TO HIRING. KEEP AN OPEN MIND ABOUT NEW FARM LABOUR By EMILY MCKINLAY Emily McKinlay photo
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