54,000 New Undergraduate Workers Needed Annually in Agriculture Sector

Nov 22, 2012

U.S Department of Agriculture Projects Need for More Skilled Workers in Agriculture

With a growing global population projected to reach 9 billion by the year 2050, plus record-high exports for U.S agriculture products – the need for skilled workers in the agriculture sector has seen a tremendous increase over the last decade. While the umbrella term “agriculture” encompasses many different professions, there is certainly a demand for more skilled agricultural workers across the sector, according to a USDA report.

There is growing demand for scientists and chemists to work within the agrochemical industry, producing everything from new fertilizers to better pest controls. The same demand is true for scientists who contribute to research and development around genetically modified organisms, including new methods for plant-based pest controls and drought resistant crops.

Traditional on-farm labour jobs have been declining over time as the advent of new technology has decreased and the demand for man power in the fields. That being said, the demand for engineers to develop new agricultural technology has never been greater.

If you’re a student still wondering what you would like to do with your career, consider all the opportunities that are available in the agricultural industry and consider training and education that would foster an in-demand, high-paying career. Veterans are also encouraged to look towards agriculture as a new career path, with government programs already in place to help the transition.

There are some great agriculture employment resources available online that you can utilize to find out what types of agriculture related jobs are available in your area and what skills may be required to obtain them. AgCareers.com for example, provides job seekers and employers a platform to post jobs and resumes, plus agricultural industry workforce compensation information and agricultural human resource services.

Video: Sow Welfare and Group Housing Systems - Dr. Laya Alves

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Laya Alves from the University of São Paulo, in Brazil, discusses how animal welfare regulations are evolving globally and their impact on pig production systems. She explains challenges in group housing, pain management, and euthanasia decisions, while highlighting the role of training and management in improving outcomes and economic sustainability. Listen now on all major platforms!

"Translating welfare requirements into daily farm routines without compromising economic sustainability remains one of the biggest challenges faced by producers globally today."

Meet the guest: Dr. Laya Alves / laya-kannan is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, focusing on animal welfare in pig production, including pain management, euthanasia, and economic decision making. Her work integrates welfare science with practical farm management and sustainability. She collaborates globally to develop applied tools for producers.