As expected, employment in the Agriculture industry fell due to cooler weather. Agriculture dropped 13.7% from the previous quarter losing 4136 employees. Agriculture Services (07), the largest component of the industry reported the largest decline, down 2747 employees. Reduced demand for lawn & garden and fertilizing services drove sector losses. Other growing services contributed to the decline; Crop Services seasonally fell by 245 and Farm Labor & Management Services by 196. Agri Prod-Crops (01) suffered the second largest sector decline, dropping by 1234 employees. Production and, subsequently, employment fell as the harvest period ended causing losses in Vegetables & Melons, down 758, and potato and field crop farming down 274. Agri Prod-Livestock (02) lost 116 employees. The majority of the loss was related to a seasonal slowing in beef cattle production. Forestry (08) employment fell by 39 due to SIC changes moving 34 to Agri Prod-Crops. ANNUAL
Annually, the Agriculture industry grew by 1517 employees, an increase of 6.2%. Growth in Agriculture Services (07) predominated the industry adding 1365 employees, constituting more than 90% of the total growth. Increased demand for lawn & garden services due to new housing developments and the desire to be free of yard work generated 819 of the increase. Also included in Agriculture Services is Veterinary Services. Veterinary Services experienced yearlong growth gaining 484 employees. Agri Prod-Livestock (02) registered the second largest sector increase gaining 146 employees. Employment in Dairy Farms rose by 89 and Livestock Except Dairy & Poultry added 55. Livestock growth was closely divided between cattle and hog production. Changes were mild for the remaining sectors. Agri Prod-Crops added 12 employees over the year; Fishing-Hunting-Trapping (09) added 5 and Forestry (08) dropped by 12 employees.
1999 SIC CHANGES
Due to reclassification the Agriculture industry lost approximately 55 employees and lost $109,571 in quarterly payroll.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) First Quarter 2000
