Grain and Forage Crop Producer

Grain and forage crop producers may specialize in different types of operations. Their duties vary depending on the type of crop and the size and purpose of the operation but, in general, they:

• determine the amount and kinds of crops to be grown
• carry out or oversee the cultivation, planting, fertilizing, spraying and harvesting of crops
• recruit and supervise permanent or short-term staff
• market crops
• load harvested crops for transport to markets
• purchase farm machinery, seed and other supplies
• maintain machinery, equipment and buildings
• develop and maintain financial and production records.

Producers may grow traditional crops such as wheat, barley, oats or oilseeds (for example, canola), pedigreed seed or specialty crops. Specialty crops are small acreage crops such as spices, specialty oats and barley, hemp, confectionary seeds, bird seed, medicinal crops or processing crops such as corn, peas, beans or carrots. 

In addition to the duties listed above, specialty crop production may require:

• operating and managing specialized machines (for example, planters, harvesters)
• highly skilled marketing
• crop-specific quality control practices.

Commercial forage crop producers plant legumes or grasses to sell as feed for livestock. Some specialize in one type of forage (for example, alfalfa) which they may sell to processing plants to be dehydrated and compressed into pellets or cubes.

Grain farming is a highly mechanized operation. Grain farmers must be willing to spend long and sometimes tedious days operating machinery during seeding and harvesting seasons. They also must be prepared to work in hot, dusty conditions some of the time, although air-conditioned machine cabs have changed this for many.

The work is done mostly during the growing seasons, leaving more time in winter to prepare for the next year and attend continuing education programs. However, many grain farmers supplement their operation with livestock production or forage production. Pedigreed seed-grain and forage seed growers must clean their grain and often are busy throughout the year.

Grain and forage crop producers routinely lift loads weighing up to 20 kilograms.

Grain and forage crop producers need the following characteristics:

• good organizational skills
• patience, a positive attitude and a high level of personal commitment
• good business skills
• a high degree of self-discipline
• strength and endurance
• the mechanical aptitude required to operate and service equipment
• excellent health with no allergies to grains or forage dust .

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

Below-average occupational growth is expected in Alberta for 2016 to 2020. Job openings are a result of employment turnover and newly created positions.

Some grain and forage crop producers own or rent land; others are employed as farm managers. The high costs of land and equipment make starting a grain operation difficult. Many young farmers take over family farms, or are part of a family co-operative operation or family corporation.

Most grain and forage crop producers do not rely solely on one type of crop for income. For example, forage crops may be rotated with grain production, or hay and grain may be produced for livestock consumption.

For those seeking work on large farms as labourers, technicians, supervisors or managers, local Employment and Social Development Canada offices are helpful in bringing together farmer-employers and potential employees.

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 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 (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 37,500 Albertans are employed in the Farmers and farm managers occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 0.9% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 338 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover. Note: As grain and forage crop producers form only a part of this larger occupational group, only some of these newly created positions will be for grain and forage crop producers.

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: www.canola.ab.ca

Canadian Seed Growers' Association website: www.seedgrowers.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs, visit the Alberta Learning Information Service (ALIS) website, call the Alberta Career Information Hotline toll-free at 1-800-661-3753 or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.