Farms.com Home   Ag Industry News

Emerging Skilled Trades in Agriculture- 2025 Outlook

Sep 13, 2024
By Farms.com

Top Agricultural Trades Shaping the Future

 

Every industry, including agriculture and food, relies on skilled trades like electricians, mechanics, and welders nationwide.  

AgCareers.com - a leading job board in the agriculture sector (which is part of the Farms.com Group) highlights the growing demand for such skilled trades in agriculture, with a focus on roles that are anticipated to be highly sought after through 2025 and beyond. 

 AgCareers.com can assess roles by career type and pinpoint those in highest demand. Currently, custom applicators and truck drivers are seeing the largest increases in demand among agricultural skilled trades. 

CUSTOM APPLICATORS 

AgCareers.com reports that the demand for custom applicator and pest control roles on AgCareers.com has nearly doubled over the past year.  

Custom applicators, who typically need an applicator's license, are responsible for operating spray equipment correctly and applying pesticides or fertilizers in the fields.  

This role has a promising job outlook, with typical employers including seed companies, crop protection firms, cooperatives, large farms, or even opportunities for self-employment. 

Another role with increased demand according to the US Bureau of Labour Statistics is the role of wind turbine service technicians, which tops the growth chart across all professions with an expected increase of 45% from 2022 to 2032. Solar installers also show strong growth prospects, anticipating a 22% increase.  

Additionally, veterinary technologists and technicians, as well as veterinary assistants and lab animal caretakers, are expected to see growth rates of 21% and 20% respectively. 

TRUCK DRIVERS 

Over the past year, the number of truck driver and transportation job postings on AgCareers.com has more than doubled.  

These roles generally require a commercial driver's license and are crucial for the safe transport of products like livestock, equipment, feed, and food to various destinations.  

The outlook for jobs with typical employers including companies in food production, grain merchandising, chemicals, cooperatives, and seed production. 

To explore skilled trades visit the AgCareers.com Career Profiles section. To apply for skilled trade positions visit www.AgCareers.com. 


Trending Video

Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?


Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.