Grain and Forage Crop Producer

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Farmers and Farm Managers (8251) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Farmers and Farm Managers (I011) 
• 2011 NOC: Managers in agriculture (0821) 
• 2016 NOC: Managers in agriculture (0821) 

Grain and forage crop producers may specialize in different types of operations. Their duties vary depending on the types of crops produced, the size and purpose of the operation, and the production system they follow. In general, they:

• Determine the area and kinds of crops to be grown and the rotation (sequence of crops) to follow
• Carry out or oversee the cultivation, planting, fertilizing, spraying, scouting, and harvesting of crops
• Manage and store harvested products off-season
• Recruit and supervise staff
• Market crops
• Load and transport harvested crops to markets
• Purchase farm machinery, seed, fertilizer, chemicals, and other supplies
• Maintain machinery, equipment, buildings, and land
• Monitor crop growth, including field surveys for plant health, pests, and diseases
• Carry out financial management activities such as keeping and submitting records, purchasing insurance, and applying for operational loans

Traditional crop producers grow crops such as wheat and canola. Other options include pedigreed seed production and specialty crops.

Pedigreed seed producers increase the amount of seed for new crop varieties, to be sold to other producers, or wholesaled to agricultural businesses. They also need to:

• Obtain additional training and certification
• Provide increased monitoring of fields, including walking fields and inspections
• Learn strong marketing skills
• Develop their knowledge of seed processing
• Satisfy additional reporting, financial records, and fee requirements

Specialty crop producers grow small acreage crops such as spices, specialty oats, and barley, hemp, seeds, and medicinal crops, or processing crops such as corn, peas, and Saskatoon berries. In addition to the duties listed above, they may need to:

• Operate and manage specialized machines such as planters and harvesters
• Learn strong marketing skills
• Apply crop-specific quality control practices

Commercial forage crop producers plant cereals, legumes, or grasses to sell as feed for livestock. Some producers diversify into animal production and grow their own forage. Others sell their forage as a cash crop.

Forage crop producers harvest annual cereal and pulse crops using specialized equipment to uniformly chop the whole plant. This can then be used to produce silage (fermented forage) for cattle feed. Annual crops can also be cut and left in the field for grazing during the winter months. Perennial forage crops are generally cut and baled to be used as feed, although they can also be used for silage.

Some commercial forage producers specialize in one type of forage, such as alfalfa. They may sell this to processing plants to be dehydrated and compressed into pellets or cubes.

Grain farming is a highly mechanized operation. It involves large equipment that is often monitored by computers and GPS systems. Grain farmers must be willing to spend long and sometimes tedious days operating machinery during seeding and harvesting seasons. They must be prepared to work in changing and sometimes adverse weather including hot, dusty conditions. Some operations such as spraying mean flexible work hours, depending on the weather.

Air-conditioned machine cabs have improved conditions for many farm operations that involve equipment. However, there is still a lot of manual labour involved with crop production. Cleaning, maintenance, loading, and operating equipment requires manual labour. Manual labour is also required for storage facilities, buildings, and land-site upkeep.

Work takes place mostly during the growing season from April to November. This leaves more time in winter to prepare for the next year and to transport harvested crops for sale. Many grain farmers supplement their operation with livestock production. This keeps them busy throughout the year. Pedigreed seed growers spend the winter season cleaning grain and marketing their products. This also means year-round operations. The winter months also allow for producer meetings, conferences, and other events to promote changes in agriculture and provide learning opportunities.

Grain and forage crop producers do a large amount of physical labour, routinely lift heavy loads, and are outside in all kinds of weather.

Grain and forage crop producers need:

• Organizational skills
• Patience, a positive attitude, and a high level of personal commitment
• Business skills
• Computer skills for equipment operation and reporting
• Self-discipline and self-motivation
• Strength and endurance
• Mechanical aptitude required to operate and service equipment
• No allergies to grains or forage dust

They should enjoy taking responsibility for their operations. They should like taking a methodical approach to their work. They should be comfortable working outdoors, and driving and operating machinery and equipment.

Some grain and forage crop producers own their own operation with purchased or rented land; others work as farm managers. The high cost of land and equipment make it difficult to start a grain operation. Many young farmers take over family farms or are part of a family co-operative operation or corporation.

To protect their income, most grain and forage crop producers diversify their operations. They grow different crops during the same season. This helps minimize the risks by allowing different marketing options. It also lowers the chance of a complete crop failure. For example, forage crops may be rotated with grain production, or hay and grain may be produced for livestock consumption.

Due to the risk level of this business, crop insurance is usually recommended.

For those seeking work on large farms as labourers, technicians, supervisors, or managers, local Employment and Social Development Canada offices are helpful. These offices bring together farmer-employers and potential employees. Some of these positions are seasonal.

Grain and forage crop producers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0821: Managers in agriculture. In Alberta, 97% of people employed in this classification work in the Agricultural [pdf] industry.

The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Trends and events affecting overall employment, especially in the Agriculture industry
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation

In Alberta, the I011: Farmers and Farm Managers occupational group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.9% from 2016 to 2020. In addition to job openings created by employment turnover, 338 new positions are forecasted to be created within this occupational group each year.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Canola Producers Commission (ACPC) website: albertacanola.com

Canadian Seed Growers’ Association website: seedgrowers.ca

Alberta Barley website: www.albertabarley.com

Alberta Wheat Commission website: www.albertawheat.com

Alberta Pulse Growers website: albertapulse.com

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Supports Centre near you.