By Jaryn Vecchio

Sask ag sector fills 700 positions in July

Aug 5, 2022 | 2:24 PM

Saskatchewan’s agriculture sector is seeing an increase in jobs for the sixth straight month.

According to Statistics Canada, around 700 positions were filled in July. Since the start of the year, the sector has added roughly 3,400 jobs.

Currently, around 27,300 people work in the sector across the province. This is the most since October 2021.

Despite this, many across the province are struggling to fill positions. There’s been a large decline in the number of jobs in the sector, the COVID-19 pandemic most likely playing a big part, though that doesn’t mean there aren’t any.

Multiple farmers have spoken to farmnewsNOW where they explained they’ve had to look at recruiting from outside of the province or try bringing back retired farmers.

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

9h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

9h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

10h ago

To them, fewer of today’s youth just don’t see farming as a career they want to have.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan’s ag sector continues to trail those in Alberta and British Columbia in terms of positions.

Nearly 40,000 people work in Alberta’s sector after adding roughly 2,100 new jobs in July. As for B.C., the sector employs just under 30,000 after around 2,700 positions last month.

However, Saskatchewan continues to be Canada’s top ag producer. From 2017 to 2021, the province averaged $10.6 billion in profit off of its three biggest commodities. Alberta came in second at $10.2 billion.

—

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsnow