AGRICULTURE

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(01 - 09)

Employment change from last quarter	-13.8
Employment change from year ago	+ 5.7
Wage change from year ago	+ 9.4

QUARTERLY

Agriculture employment fell as anticipated due to the seasonal downturn in the weather. Employment decreased by 3640 at a rate of –13.8% from the previous quarter. The largest sector, Agriculture Services (07), which constitutes almost 55% of the industry, reported a loss of 2471 employees. Lessened need for lawn and garden maintenance and farm labor due to the dormant growing season effected the outcome. Agri Prod-Crops (01) had the second largest employment loss dropping by 1178. This decline was also seasonal led by diminished staffing in Vegetables & Melons (016). Unusually inclement weather in fourth quarter may have caused early layoffs for seasonal employees. Increases were registered in the Horticulture Specialties (018) subsector, up 166, as nurseries geared up for supplying spring plantings. Increases in Horticulture Specialties were obfuscated at the sector level because of seasonal losses in all other subsectors of Agri Prod-Crops. Agri Prod-Livestock (02) lost 1 employees over the course of the quarter. Seasonal cutbacks at numerous cattle ranches offset gains in Dairy Farms.


ANNUAL

Employment in Agriculture rose 5.7% over a year ago first quarter adding 1219. Agriculture Services (07) generated the largest share of the new employees having added 811. Growth within Agriculture Services was controlled by two subsectors: Lawn & Garden Services (078) and Veterinary services (074). Lawn & Garden Services added almost 500 employees and growth in services to animals added over 250. Agri Prod-Livestock (02) reported the second largest annual gain up 370 employees. The opening of a new hog production unit, SIC changes adding 24 to the sector from TCPU and overall expansions in the pork production arena generated a large portion of the gain in Agri Prod-Livestock. Some expansions in beef feedlots also contributed to the gain. Agri Prod-Crops (01) grew by 30 employees over the year. Subsector activity was mixed with Field Crops (013) adding 106 employees due mainly to the addition of two large farms and expansions in Horticulture Specialties up 84 offsetting strong losses in Vegetables & Melons (016) due to a larger than expected seasonal decline.

1997 SIC CHANGES

Due to reclassification the Agriculture industry gained approximately 68 employees and $496,293 in quarterly payroll.

Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) First Quarter 1998