A new report shows nearly half of Canadian farmers are unable to fill their labor needs.

The Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council released a forecast this week that surveyed farm employers.

More than 47 percent of respondents say they cannot fill their labor needs.

Across the sector, more than one third reported that they receive zero Canadian applicants when they post an available job.

Considering that approximately 37 percent of the workforce is expected to retire in the next ten years, the forecast indicates that there will be an increasing labor shortfall for Canadian agriculture.

Solutions to resolve worker shortages include focusing on untapped potential within Canada, as well as looking outside the domestic workforce.

Employers are looking to hire Canadians first and then recruit international workers when no Canadians can be found to work on the farms.

Jobs filled by international workers have increased from almost 45,600 in 2014 to nearly 60,000 in 2017, representing one in every six positions in Canadian agriculture.