Farm labor for early season tasks such as planting and thinning added 334. Veterinarians for pets, animal hospitals and boarding kennels expanded adding 209.
Increases are typical for the quarter.
Dairy farms added 58 employees with growth almost exclusive to Weld County. Strong new home building and population expansions heightened demand for landscaping, lawn mowing and fertilizing services generating most of the employment gain in Agriculture Services. Some gain was seen in Veterinary Services up almost 284. Farm labor decreased by 95 over the year possibly the result of a late spring frost that cut into fruit production. Increases were the result of staff expansions at many dairy farms.