“They should be engaged in doing the work that needs to be done. Talk about what’s coming up in the next few weeks and where your struggles will be with bills due, weather events, and getting crops in. “By having those employees engaged, they buy in. Even when they are not financially invested in the outcome, they are emotionally engaged. That engagement with employees means we don’t have turnover, which is nice because it’s stable.” Strong HR practices and listening to employees’ concerns and goals are essential to ensuring that workers know the farm values them. Wright says farmers can use CAHRC as a resource for HR management with their employees. “At CAHRC, we have all the tools and resources for HR management for farmers,” she explains. “Those HR best practices can go a long way, even if the farm is mostly family. Having an HR structure and plan like every other aspect of your business can go a long way.” Education As agriculture evolves, the workforce changes and new skills are necessary; education and training must also change to reflect the industry. Many people don’t recognize the variety of career opportunities in the industry. New positions requiring a technology, science, or engineering background have become common. “I think the biggest challenge is that we don’t talk enough about diverse opportunities in agriculture in our education system,” says Brackenridge. “Without talking about it in primary or secondary school, it’s not a career path anyone would consider if they didn’t grow up on a farm.” Wright says that CAHRC provides support to farms looking to train new employees who may not have prior experience. This can help skilled workers from other fields join the industry. “We offer on-job training guidance to help farmers hire people and train them to national occupation standards,” explains Wright. “On-farm training and education is something farmers should always be looking at. Even if someone doesn’t come from an ag background and may not be coming from an ag college or university, producers could hire someone from an environmental science background who could help with soil health, or maybe a biology background for animal production systems.” Once farmers have hired employees and have a good relationship, Wright says, “Take time to talk, be a good listener, and respond to what your employees are looking for.” BF Labour Shortage EMILY MCKINLAY Emily lives on a beef farm, raising Red Angus and Simmental cattle. She holds a Master of Science in Animal Biosciences from University of Guelph, with a focus on ruminant nutrition. https://agriculture.newholland.com/nar/en-us EQUIPPED FOR A NEW WORLD™ Bob Mark New Holland Sales Ltd. Campbellford • 705-653-3700 Bob Mark New Holland Sales Ltd. Lindsay • 705-324-2221 Bob Mark New Holland Sales Ltd. Napanee • 613-354-9244 Bob Mark New Holland Sales Ltd. Sunderland • 705-357-3121 Delta Power Equipment Mitchell • 519-348-8467 Delta Power Equipment St. Marys • 519-349-2180 Delta Power Equipment Tilbury • 519-682-9090 Delta Power Equipment Waterford • 519-443-8622 Delta Power Equipment Watford • 519-849-2744 Delta Power Equipment Winchester • 613-774-2887 Ebert Welding Ltd. New Liskeard • 705-647-6896 ESM Farm Equipment Ltd. Wallenstein • 519-669-5176 Maxville Farm Machinery Ltd. Maxville • 613-527-2834 McCauley Equipment Sales Orillia • 705-325-4424 Oneida New Holland Caledonia • 905-765-5011 Oneida New Holland St Catharines • 905-688-5160 Regional Tractor Sales Ltd. Freelton • 905-659-1094 Richards Equipment Inc. Barrie • 705-721-5530 Robert’s Farm Equipment Sales, Inc. Chesley • 519-363-3192 Robert’s Farm Equipment Sales, Inc. Mount Forest • 519-323-2755 Robert’s Farm Equipment Sales, Inc. Walton • 519-887-6365 Smiths Farm Equipment (Jasper) Ltd. Jasper • 613-283-1758 Stewart’s Equipment Erin • 519-833-9616
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