Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

• Agricultural service contractors

• 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

• May operate and repair digital technology and communication tools and equipment, such as robotic milking systems and global positioning systems (GPS).

• Farm supervisors

• Coordinate, assign and supervise the work of specialized livestock workers, farm machinery operators, livestock labourers and harvesting labourers

• Supervise and oversee breeding and other livestock-related programs

• Supervise, monitor and enforce procedures to maintain animal and crop health and welfare

• Supervise and oversee growing and other crop-related operations

• Supervise maintenance of infrastructure, equipment, and supplies

• Develop work schedules and establish procedures

• Ensure farm safety, food safety and security and bio-security procedures are followed

• Maintain quality control and production records

• May perform general farm duties.

• May operate and repair digital technology and communication tools and equipment, such as robotic milking systems and global positioning systems (GPS).

• Farm supervisors may specialize in areas such as dairy, poultry, swine, beef, sheep, equine, fruit, vegetable, mixed or other specialty farming.

• 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 may require a college certificate or other specialized training in agriculture or livestock husbandry.