Modern farmers navigate labor shortages, rising costs and climate challenges

The agricultural sector continues to face unique challenges. Issues affecting the agricultural sector have a ripple effect that influences domestic food security and the economic strength of rural communities.

To adapt to the changing landscape, farmers need to identify strengths and weaknesses in their operations, then collaborate with policymakers to create a more resilient agricultural sector that benefits all involved. The following are six notable challenges farmers face in modern agriculture, based on data from Verdesian, a nutrient use efficiency company; AgAmerica, an agriculture lending firm; and Pinion, a business advisory organization.

1. Labor shortages

Finding and retaining skilled agricultural labor is a notable challenge. The aging farmer population coupled with labor shortages is a concern. There is a need for new talent in farming as older generations retire and younger ones fail to fill in the gaps.

2. Depletion of agricultural resources

The global population continues to grow, which means the demand for food and other agricultural products is increasing. This puts a strain on the resources farmers rely on that may be in short supply. Farming utilizes a considerable amount of the world’s freshwater supply, and farmers must continually identify ways to manage water resources efficiently, including wastewater reuse initiatives. As fossil fuels also may be finite resources, the agricultural industry needs to pivot to renewable energy alternatives, some of which may require considerable costs to retrofit current operations.

3. Inflation and food prices

Although the cost of food is no longer as high as it was a few years ago, consumers are still feeling the pinch at supermarkets and other retail stores. Shoppers may continue to tighten their budgets and spend less on food, which may translate into reduced demand for produce and other food products. The food price outlook is uncertain, and historical data indicates food price deflation has occurred only once in the past 50 years. Farmers may have to adjust operations to produce more for less to remain competitive in the marketplace.

4. Technological overhauls

It’s becoming increasingly necessary for farms to utilize new technologies and embrace automation. Some farmers may not be trained in the use or application of these technologies, and conversion to new farming practices may require education and skills to manage new tools, or the hiring of trained technicians from a shrinking agricultural workforce.

5. Climate change

Climate change and extreme weather can have a notable impact on farming. Weather events such as droughts, floods and storms have become more common and severe. Farmers are vulnerable to unpredictable conditions and crop yields.

6. Animal illnesses

One only has to look to the recent avian influenza outbreak to understand the disruption illnesses can have on livestock. The disease has led to mass culling of infected flocks, which has caused widespread losses in chickens, financial burdens to poultry farms and disruptions to egg production that have driven up costs. Bird flu is not isolated to poultry, either. Avian flu can affect dairy cattle, causing decreased milk production and cow deaths. The need for cleanup procedures and biosecurity measures from these illnesses puts an added financial burden on farmers.

Modern farmers face many different challenges that require adjustment to meet consumer demands.