KAP pilots HR program for producers

Feb 11, 2021

When producers complete the program, they’ll have a complete farm labour plan for their operation

Staff Writer

Farms.com

Keystone Agricultural Producers (KAP) staff along with Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council (CAHRC) staff are giving producers in Manitoba the opportunity to learn more about human resources (HR).

The program is running as a pilot this year with ten producers who come from different commodities, said Thea Green, KAP program manager.

The program is “only 14 hours in total, which includes both your course time and your homework. It's going to focus on the highlights of developing a human resources plan, so really focusing on all aspects of managing farm labour for farmers. It'll go through some of the basics of how to recruit, hire, retain, reward staff and fire staff. It will include information based on labour laws, as well as best practices for farmers, and lots of tips about how to make it easier or more valuable for the farmers involved,” she told Farms.com.

Producers involved in the program will have a completed farm labour plan they can use in their operation.

KAP wanted to offer this program with the help of the CAHRC after surveying farmers in 2019, said Green.

“This course is very much built as a result of what we learned from our members about what they'd like to learn, how they'd like to learn and some of the challenges and issues they're experiencing in terms of labour shortages and hiring good farm labour,” she explained.

After the completion of the program KAP staff will work with producers to find out what could be improved on for the next offering of the program, which will be offered on an annual basis most likely in the winter, said Green.

“This is just step one to create something that's very valuable for all Manitoba farmers going forward and we'd like as many people as possible to get involved and get the training that they need to feel more confident in managing human resources on their farms,” said Green.

Producers interested in the next round of training can contact Green or the KAP office.

Poike/iStock/Getty Images Plus photo

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.