Cooling weather occurring over fourth quarter typically signals an end to the growing and harvesting cycle occasioning a decline in employment. True to trends, employment in Agriculture seasonally fell dropping by 19.2% and losing 7186 employees. The sector most affected by seasonality, Agriculture Services (07), lost 5003 employees. The bulk of the decline occurred in landscape and horticulture services, down 3421 employees. Completion of harvesting projects subtracted 1493 employees from farm labor services. Employment in Agri Prod-Crops (01) seasonally fell by 2082. A drop of 1220 employees in Vegetable & Melon production accounted for more than half of the sector loss. Horticulture Specialties suffered the second largest subsector loss dropping 375 employees. Seasonal cutbacks at turf farms, tree farms and greenhouses accounted for a portion of the losses. Agri Prod-Livestock (02) dropped by 103 employees. Livestock Except Dairy & Poultry experienced the largest sector loss down by 45. Within the sector cattle ranches seasonally dropped by 90 and feedlots gained 63 offsetting the losses.
ANNUAL
Employment in Agriculture grew at 6.6% over fourth quarter a year ago adding 1875 employees. Industry growth was dominated by the sector, Agriculture Services (07), which added 1841 employees. Increased demand for services such as lawn fertilizing, lawn mowing, garden maintenance and arborist services caused the addition of 1316 employees. Consistent quarterly employment expansions in Veterinary Services caused it to gain 471 annually, also assisting the sector to its dominant position. Agri Prod-Crops (01) rose by 11 employees. Subsector changes were mixed, however, with the largest changes in Fruit & Tree Nuts down 154 and Vegetable & Melons up 90. The decline in Fruit & Tree Nuts employment was caused by an early frost and the subsequent reduction in the need for labor. Production for Vegetables & Melons was up due to a prolonged harvest this year. Agri Prod- Livestock reported little change over the year declining by 6. Subsector activity was mixed. As a result of expansions Dairy Farms grew by 74. SIC changes in January moving about 20 out of Animal Specialties and small cutbacks at a number of cattle feedlots offset the gain.
Colorado Employment and Wages (ES202) Fourth Quarter 1999
