Agriculture employment in Colorado seasonally fell 23.2% losing 7405 employees. Cooler weather leading to the end of the growing season marked the quarterly decline. The largest drop in sector activity over the quarter was recorded in Agriculture Services (07) down 4555 employees. Decreased demand for lawn care services and contract farm labor contributed to the loss. Agri Prod-Crops (01) down 2885 employees reported the second largest drop. Better than half of the loss resulted from seasonal reductions in labor for vegetables and melon production. Fishing-Hunting-Trapping (09) seasonally fell by 25 employees. One closure and cutbacks, typical at this time of year in logging and tree farms, caused employment to drop by 12 in Forestry (08). Agri Prod-Livestock (02) was the only sector to increase over last quarter adding 73 employees. All subsectors increased with growth strongest in hog production.
ANNUAL
Employment in the Agriculture industry rose modestly, up 3.2% adding 757 employees since fourth quarter a year ago. Agriculture Services (07) reported the largest annual gain up 461 employees. Increased demand for lawn and garden services and increases in veterinary practices generated the growth in this sector. Agri Prod-Livestock (02) rose by 224 employees. Expansions in hog production accounted for most of the growth. Agri Prod-Crops (01) gained 85 employees. Over 200 new employees were added because of expansions in the production of nursery stock and ornamental plants and more than 50 each were added for expansions in Vegetables & Melons (016) and Cash Grains (011) production. Large losses in General Crop Farms (019) due to a SIC change in January offset annual gains in the Agri Prod-Crops subsector.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Fourth Quarter 1996
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