Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing employment continued to grow faster than the state as a whole at 6.5 percent. Average Annual employment increased by 1,910 jobs, the most ever. The average annual wage increased from $20,249 to $21,360. This was the second lowest average wage next to Retail Trade.

The largest and fastest growing sector within Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing is Agriculture Services. This sector added 1,396 jobs to average 11,537 in 1999. The average wage increased by 6.6 percent to $23,138. Landscape and Horticultural Services employment increased by 1,396 jobs to 11,537 with an average annual salary of $23,118. The increased employment in Landscape and Horticultural Services is a direct result of the Construction boom. Veterinary Services employment continued to expand with an additional 310 jobs to 4,251. Forty-nine percent of these Veterinary Services jobs were in the Denver MSA. Crop Preparation Services for Market employment increased from 876 to 957. Animal Specialty Services experienced an increase of 39 jobs to average 882 in 1999. The very seasonal Farm Labor Contractors sectors employment increased by an annual average 72 jobs to 588.

Agriculture Production-Crops reversed a growth trend with a decline of 129 jobs to 6,979. Seventy-three percent of these jobs were outside of the Denver MSA. The average wage was $20,323. Ornamental Nursery Products is the largest sector within Agriculture Production-Crops with 2,591 employees. This was a decline of 16 jobs. Vegetables and Melons employment increased from 1,444 to 1,495 while Irish Potatoes employment increase from 757 to 807. The largest drop occurred in Deciduous Tree Fruits with a decline of 100 jobs to 152.

Employment within Agriculture Production-Livestock and Animal Specialties increased by 68 jobs to 5,432 with an average annual wage of $22,051. Beef Cattle Feedlots employment declined from 1,516 to 1,484. The largest increase was in Dairy Farms at 95 jobs. Dairy Farms employed an average of 1,311 people at an average annual wage of $19,622. Hogs employment growth slowed after significant increases throughout the decade. There were 1,212 jobs classified in Hogs, an increase of 21. In 1992 there were only 322 jobs classified in Hogs.

Forestry employment increased from 88 to 101 jobs over the year. The increase is attributable to the 14-job increase in Timber Tracts. Timber tracts employed 73 people at an average annual wage of $21,272.

Fishing, Hunting, and Trapping employment increased from 14 to 17 jobs. There were only three establishments in this sector.