photo: artistgndphotography/istock/getty images

Training on tap to fill farm labour gaps between ag and tech

The ‘agri-programmer’ may be on its way

Say there’s trouble with the automated GIS and mapping features on the tractor, but you can’t find a tech with enough knowledge to offer help. It’s a simple example of the kind of employment gaps that keep farmers up at night, and that prevent their adoption of new technology, said the manager of an “upskilling”

Migrant workers are often unable to refuse unsafe work and are reluctant to raise health concerns or report situations of abuse.

Comment: Migrant farmworker issues must be addressed

Even under new rules, workers are powerless and bad employers can exploit that, say educators

The government of Canada recently amended the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to include new employer obligations. These amendments are intended to enhance protections for migrant workers and ensure the integrity of the government’s temporary foreign worker program. While a step in the right direction, the changes side-step the root issues that make temporary foreign


By international agreement with designated countries, Canada allows travellers under 30 years of age to live and work for short periods in the country as a form of cultural exchange and national promotion.

International interns no ag labour panacea

Bringing in experienced workers has pluses and minuses as a labour strategy

A farm kid from Germany, Sweden or Switzerland might be the answer to labour needs, but it’s neither simple nor straightforward to bring such a person to Canada to work on your farm. Experiences with international labour were among the topics at a Manitoba Ag Days panel discussion among farmers and immigration consultants. Chris Raupers farms northwest of Brandon near Cardale and

Manitoba farmer Chris Raupers was among the panel speakers during the opening day of Manitoba Ag Days Jan. 17-19.

International ag interns no worker panacea

Bringing in experienced workers has pluses and minuses as a labour strategy

A farm kid from Germany, Sweden or Switzerland might be the answer to your labour needs, but it’s neither simple, nor straightforward to bring one into Canada to work on your farm. A panel discussion at Manitoba Ag Days highlighted some of the experiences farmers and immigration consultants have had accessing international labour. Chris Raupers





(Photo courtesy Canada Beef Inc.)

Canada dilutes plan to limit temporary foreign workers

Ottawa | Reuters — Canada’s Liberal government on Thursday watered down measures to limit the number of low-wage temporary foreign workers firms can hire after complaints the restrictions would cause major labour shortages. Under rules introduced by the previous Conservative administration, the number of low-skilled foreign workers a firm could employ would have dropped to



ground beef exiting a meat grinder

CANFAX bullish on beef market outlook

The forecast is for solid prices in 2015

The Canadian beef market will likely continue to see bulls in the new year, according to a CANFAX forecaster. “We’re looking at very solid prices for 2015. At the risk of saying it, there’s potential for even higher prices,” Brian Perillat, manager and senior analyst for CANFAX, told a group of producers at this year’s

black and white image of a farm gate

Rural Manitoba struggles with population growth

Retired statistician maps out future of labour market

Looming labour shortages due to mass migration to and around cities have made rural development much more difficult than it used to be, according to a retired statistician. While rural populations in Manitoba overall are still growing by .6 per cent, since 1996, places farther away from Brandon, Winnipeg and Winkler are not faring as