Farm Labor

The Agricultural Labor Survey underwent major changes beginning with the July 1996 survey. Sample sizes and the number of published estimates were scaled back to regional emphasis. Quarterly estimates were discontinued for Michigan, though regional and U.S. estimates are still available. For most states, including Michigan, only annual averages for a reduced number of categories are now published.
The purpose of this survey is to provide national estimates of the number of farm workers, hours worked, and wage rates. Data from this survey are used to compute income components of the Gross Domestic Product for the farm sector. These data are further used as a component of the Parity Index.

The survey collects data for the one week period that includes the 12th day of the month. Uncontrollable variables, such as weather, can affect the estimates.

Table 3-1.-Farm Labor, Michigan
[All numbers are annual averages]
Year Workers      Hours worked     Wage rates
Self employed Unpaid Hired Hired
workers
All hired workers Field
workers
Field and
livestock workers
Number Hours per week Dollars per hour
1992
(1) (1) 22,000 (1) 6.21 5.90 5.80
1993
(1) (1) 22,000 36.2 6.36 6.02 6.12
1994
(1) (1) 26,000 35.5 6.40 5.97 5.99
1995
38,000 11,800 25,000 39.2 6.64 6.40 6.33
1996
39,800 10,300 18,000 34.5 6.96 6.73 6.61
1 Data not available.