In Sally Day’s article, Succession=Successful, highlights a pressing concern in the American workforce: every day, 11,200 Americans turn 65, resulting in over 4 million new retirees annually. This trend presents a significant challenge for the pork industry, which already has an aging workforce. With rapid technological advancements, the need for younger, skilled workers has become more urgent than ever.
Historically, pig farms have struggled to attract younger workers. Urban areas promise a modern lifestyle, work-life balance, and cutting-edge technologies. However, swine farms offers equally compelling benefits: a safer environment for raising families, lower stress levels, and stable, long-term employment. The challenge is convincing a new generation that hog farming is not only viable but also an attractive career option.
As a McKinsey report pointed out, labor is a persistent pain point for farmers. Farmworkers are at high risk of injuries, have the highest rate of fatal occupational injuries and labor shortages have led to demands from workers to be compensated for adverse work conditions. All of this is accelerating automation on the farm.
Harnessing Technology to Attract Young Talent
For today’s younger workforce, technology is non-negotiable. Millennials and Gen Z have grown up with the internet and smart technology integrated into their daily lives. Pig farms that fail to provide reliable connectivity will struggle to attract these workers. Whether monitoring animals through smart sensors or simply streaming movies during downtime, high-speed internet is a must for any modern workplace—including pig farms.
Moreover, the pork industry is undergoing a tech revolution. Platforms with data streamline communication and data-sharing across operations without requiring high-end equipment. Similarly, connectivity in the bard is crucial for the tech savy worker integrating sensor technology on farms to make decision making easier/faster. Farms that adopt such technologies can position themselves as exciting, forward-thinking workplaces to attract younger, tech-savvy talent.
Breaking Language Barriers for a More Inclusive Workforce
The agriculture industry, especially the pork sector, relies heavily on immigrant labor. With increasingly restrictive immigration policies and growing labor shortages, retaining this workforce is critical to the industry’s survival. One of the biggest challenges hog farm owners face is communication, as many immigrant workers have limited English proficiency.
Hiring multilingual managers can help bridge this communication gap. Managers fluent in multiple languages ensure that all workers feel heard, respected, and valued. Additionally, managers with strong emotional intelligence are better equipped to support the unique cultural backgrounds of their workers, and fostering a sense of belonging can significantly reduce turnover. Technology such as various translation apps is also helping with this.
Expanding Beyond Traditional Talent Pools
Where can pork producers find the next generation of workers? They might be outside of the traditional farming community. Executive search firm Kincannon & Reed suggests that diverse workforces often bring fresh perspectives and innovative thinking. Farm owners should consider expanding their search as people who haven’t grown up on pig farms may bring new ideas, creativity, and a willingness to learn.
Fostering Innovation in Agriculture
In order to navigate the complexities of interconnected pork supply chains and consumer markets, creative thinking is essential. Not only does farm efficiency improve, but creative thinkers help position pig farms to better adapt to shifting market conditions and emerging technologies.
Investing in Your Current Workforce
Sometimes, the talent hog farms need is already on-site. According to a recent Kincannon & Reed report, coaching existing leaders provides a 5:1 return and when retention/the cost of finding replacements is factored in the return rises to 8:1. Not only does investing in existing talent improve overall performance, but it also increases employee retention, reducing the costs and time associated with finding replacements.
The future of the pork industry depends on attracting the next generation of workers. By embracing technology, fostering creativity, and expanding the talent search, pork producers can secure their farms’ success in a rapidly evolving industry. Those willing to invest in the future and adapt to change will thrive.
Aidan Connolly is the President of AgriTech Capital in North Carolina, has written a book available for free download ‘The Future of Agriculture’ and is a frequent contributor to Forbes Magazine who describe him as a ‘food and farm futurologist’. Connolly also works with the world’s leading executive recruitment for food and agribusiness firm Kincannon & Reed.
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