This article was first published in Beef Magazine.

On-going Farm Labor Concerns

The lack of labor has been a major concern for producers over the last 10 to 15 years. Some producers have pointed the finger at reduced rural populations and the lack of ability and desire of people who remain in rural communities to engage in agricultural production. Technology and efficiency have been touted as at least part of the solution to the industry's labor needs. While some of the new technologies will require little or no additional labor other technologies merely swap labor needs from low-skill to high-skilled technical labor. As operations grow the need for labor grows with it. The hope is that labor will reduce the demand for labor relieving upward pressure on wages. At the same time, ongoing consolidation is reducing the need for more general labor towards more specialized labor.  Continue reading on the Center for Ag Profitability website.