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TRENDS IN FARM LABOUR: FARM LABOUR IN ONTARIO
Author(s) -
Anderson W. J.,
LANE S. H.
Publication year - 1953
Publication title -
canadian journal of agricultural economics/revue canadienne d'agroeconomie
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.505
H-Index - 37
eISSN - 1744-7976
pISSN - 0008-3976
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-7976.1953.tb01248.x
Subject(s) - mechanization , economic shortage , scarcity , agricultural economics , business , quality (philosophy) , labour economics , livestock , work (physics) , economics , agriculture , agricultural science , engineering , geography , environmental science , market economy , mechanical engineering , linguistics , philosophy , archaeology , epistemology , government (linguistics) , forestry
SUMMARY A shortage of farm labour in Ontario which developed during World War II and which has continued since, has tended to offset the trend toward larger farm business units. In other words it seems probable that the average size of farm unit in Ontario would have been larger had farmers been able to obtain the quantity and quality of help they deemed necessary for the best operation of their farms. This conclusion assumes, of course, that any increase in size of farm which has resulted from increased mechanization (which has also been encouraged by a scarcity of farm labour) has been more than offset by the inability of farmers to obtain adequate labour. This assumption is partly justified by the fact that 50 percent of the farmers who reduced their crop acreage to lessen their dependence on labour also purchased machinery. Similarly, 20 percent of the farmers who reduced their livestock numbers because of a labour shortage also installed electricity or water pressure systems. Since the average level of mechanization does not appear to be excessive, further mechanization where practical should not only reduce farm labour requirements but should aid farmers in obtaining and retaining satisfactory hired help. Attention to living and working conditions, particularly food, lodging and hours of work are very important in promoting good operator‐labourer relationships. Reasonable wages are also important but wages that are higher than typical for the quality of help employed are not likely to aid the farmer in retaining satisfactory hired help. Since a shortage of seasonal labour is the most aggravating farm labour problem at the present time, farmers should give serious consideration to changing their farm organization so that more year‐round and less casual labour is required. Since the seasonal nature of farm production is such that some variation in labour requirements throughout the year is bound to exist, further study of methods whereby potential seasonal farm workers and farmers may be brought together is suggested. The importance of operating the farm in an efficient businesslike manner so that farmers' sons, as well as other farm labourers, are attracted to farm employment cannot be over‐emphasized.