Agricultural service contractors, farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers (NOC 8252)

Agricultural service:

• Provide agricultural livestock services such as artificial insemination, spraying or shearing of livestock or disinfecting pens, barns or poultry houses
• Provide agricultural crop services such as plowing, irrigating, cultivating, spraying or harvesting
• Assist in the development and implementation of farm safety and bio-security procedures
• Hire and train workers
• Negotiate the terms of services to be provided
• Maintain financial and operational records
• May participate in the provision of services or in the operation of machinery and equipment.

Farm supervisors:

• coordinate and supervise the work of general farm workers and harvesting labourers
• supervise breeding programs and harvest operations
• develop work schedules and set up procedures
• maintain quality control and production records
• perform general farm duties

Specialized livestock workers:

• put together a feeding program
• maintain livestock performance records
• carry out a pasture or pen breeding program
• recognize and treat certain livestock health problems
• select livestock for sale
• perform general farm duties
• may supervise general farm workers and harvesting labourers

Special duties

Farm supervisors may specialize in dairy, poultry, swine, beef, sheep, fruit, vegetable, mixed, specialty and equine farms.

Specialized livestock workers usually specialize in one type of farm animal, such as beef cattle, dairy cattle or swine

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

• Work takes place in a controlled indoor setting, however in some areas temperatures may vary.
• Work also takes place outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Workers may also be exposed to infectious bacteria and viruses as a result of treating sick animals.
• Working with equipment, instruments, machinery or power/hand tools can be a source of injury.
• The workplace may contain strong odours.

Education, training & qualifications

• Agricultural service contractors usually require a university degree, college diploma or industry courses in agricultural studies and several years of experience related to the service offered.
• Contractors providing certain services, such as artificial insemination and pesticide application, may require training certificates and provincial licensing.
• Farm supervisors and specialized livestock workers may require a college certificate or other specialized training in agriculture or livestock husbandry.
• A course or certificate in first aid may be required.

Skills

• Manual Dexterity
• Directive
• Spatial Perception
• Social

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.