McKenzie County Farmer - Archive

The agricultural sector continues to face unique challenges. Issues affecting the agricultural sector have a ripple effect that affects domestic food security and the economic strength of rural communities.
In order to adapt to the changing landscape, farmers need to identify strengths and weaknesses in their operations, and then collaborate with policyholders 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.

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 are retiring and younger ones are failing to fill in the gaps.

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.

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