General farm workers (NOC 8431)

General farm workers:

• plant, fertilize, cultivate, spray, irrigate and harvest crops
• feed and tend livestock and poultry
• milk cows
• operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment
• detect disease and health problems in crops, livestock and poultry
• examine produce for quality and prepare for market
• set and monitor water lines, air flow and temperature in barns, pens and chicken coops
• clean stables, barns, barnyards and pens

Special duties

General farm workers can become specialized in a particular type of crop or livestock production through experience.

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

• Work takes place both indoors and outdoors, so workers may be exposed to various weather conditions.
• Workers use machinery, tools and heavy farm equipment, such as tractors, which can pose the risk of injury.
• Strong odours are common on a farm.
• Farmers may be exposed to chemicals, such as pesticides, and dust and sand in the workplace.
• Workers may also be exposed to infectious bacteria and viruses as a result of treating sick animals.
• Workers may be exposed to enough noise to affect hearing.
• Some machinery can cause a vibrating or back and forth motion in the body.