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Farmers report difficulty hiring adequate labor

Farmers who hire non-family members say it’s more difficult to hire adequate labor this year than in 2020, according to the latest Ag Economy Barometer.

Purdue University’s Jim Mintert says, “Last year three out of ten farms on the survey said they were either having some difficulty or a lot of difficulty in meeting their needs. This year that increased dramatically to 66% saying they were either having some difficulty or a lot of difficulty.”

He tells Brownfield it’s a widespread issue.

“Farming operations across the US are telling us they are having just as much trouble if not more than some other aspects of the US economy.”

The Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer is a monthly survey of 400 U.S. agricultural producers.