A Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council report indicated that over 40 per cent of farms were understaffed in 2020.

Comment: Solving the ag-labour crunch

The agriculture sector will need a united effort to address this issue

The availability of labour is a critical factor in determining the long-term growth and profitability of Canadian agriculture. The ongoing viability of many farm businesses will be determined by labour. Farms, rural communities, value-added processing, and key support sectors like transportation, are all struggling to find and keep staff. This is not a new story,

A shortage of workers has existed for decades, and its trajectory is “alarming,” says the Canadian Federation of Agriculture.

National strategy in development to address ag labour crunch

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture says trajectory of ongoing worker shortage is ‘alarming’

A group of ag and food organizations will band together to develop a national strategy addressing labour shortages in the farm and food sectors. “Labour challenges in agriculture have been ongoing for decades, and are one of the most prominent factors obstructing the remarkable growth potential that has been identified for Canadian agriculture and our agri-food industry as


Sixty-four per cent of farmers said they were thinking about dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak at their farm.

Farmers concerned about transportation delays, input costs because of COVID-19

Preliminary CAHRC survey results show 26 per cent of farms saw workers take temporary leave for self-isolation, and 22 per cent take leave because of illness

Three-quarters of Manitoba farmers are concerned about transportation delays caused by the pandemic, according to preliminary survey results from the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC). Jennifer Wright, senior HR adviser with CAHRC, shared initial survey data at the Keystone Agricultural Producers annual general meeting on January 26. CAHRC spoke to 448 farm operators across

New pilot program for labour welcomed

Some well-established TFWs with solid foundation in Canada will qualify

Federal officials hope a new pilot program will help stabilize ongoing labour issues in certain sectors of the agri-food value chain, while also providing citizenship to some foreign workers. But critics contend more support is needed. “This pilot will help to ensure that farmers and processors have the much-needed skills, experience and labour so we can grow our economy and improve our living

Opinion: COVID-19 reveals a labour weakness

COVID-19: Foreign workers a delicate issue as domestic unemployment soars

Glacier FarmMedia – A weak spot in Canada’s food system is being revealed by COVID-19. Despite the federal government allowing temporary foreign workers into the country, there are still concerns not enough will be able to reach Canada in time. Whole sections of foreign bureaucracies are closed, including visa offices in some countries, making it


“Attracting youth to careers across food production is critical.” – RBC report.

Youth council could be positive step in solving labour shortage

The group will help inform future agriculture policy by engaging younger industry members

The federal government is attempting to harness the power of youth by creating a Canadian Agricultural Youth Council. It will convene a group of young people who will, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC), “provide valuable advice on agriculture and agri-food issues that matter most to them, everything from sustainable agriculture, market diversification and

Comment: Growing agriculture’s next generation

Comment: Growing agriculture’s next generation

More needs to be done to demonstrate agriculture is a great career choice

The agriculture industry is a vital driver of the Canadian economy, contributing over $122 billion each year to the national GDP. With the world’s population expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030, the industry has a significant opportunity to grow in economic importance as it expands to feed a growing global community. However, the agricultural

The Canadian agriculture sector needs a few more hands to share the workload.

Helping hands: pilot immigration program targets rural Canada

The Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program matches immigrants to jobs and could help agricultural recruiters fill vacancies

It’s no secret — finding employees to work on the farm isn’t getting any easier. Rural populations are dwindling, fewer have skills or aptitudes for farm work, or even any interest in finding out about jobs in agriculture. But a new initiative announced in late January could potentially send experienced farm managers, equipment operators, meat


The five-year Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot aims to attract more skilled immigrants to rural areas in Canada.

New program aims to attract skilled immigrants to rural Canada

Participating communities will gain access to a range of supports to help newcomers settle there

A new program announced by the federal government last week aims to tackle the problem of so few skilled immigrants choosing to work and live outside Canada’s large urban centres. The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced the new five-year pilot program January 24, saying it will be aimed at

New solutions are needed to address the labour shortages plaguing the agricultural sector across Canada.

KAP exploring apprenticeship program for farm staff

The farm group has begun early discussions with Apprenticeship Manitoba about the need for training those employed on farms and how training could be offered

With spring seeding around the corner, do you have the people you need on the payroll? Many farmers don’t and know chances of finding someone are next to nil. With the farm labour shortage intensifying, Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) this spring is sitting down with Apprenticeship Manitoba to look further afield for workers. They’re in