Overview
Specialized livestock workers carry out feeding, health and breeding programs on dairy, beef, sheep, poultry, swine and other livestock farms. Farm machinery operators operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment. They are employed on crop, livestock, fruit, vegetable and specialty farms.
This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Specialized livestock workers
Perform or assist in performing animal husbandry activities
Implement pasture or pen breeding programs
Develop and implement feeding programs
Follow safety and bio-security procedures
Detect and treat certain diseases and health problems in livestock
Maintain livestock performance records
Select livestock for sale
Set and monitor water lines, air flow and temperature in barns, pens and chicken coops
Train horses
Maintain inventory and order materials as required
May be responsible for the collection of semen and the insemination of donor females
May supervise general farm labourers.
Farm machinery operators
Operate farm equipment and machinery to till soil, plant, cultivate and harvest crops, and load and unload crops or containers of materials
Perform equipment and machinery maintenance
Monitor equipment and machinery operations to detect malfunctions
Follow safety procedures
May perform minor repairs to farm equipment and machinery.
Employment prospects
Annual salary
$36,289
$47,969
$105,281
Job openings
Use this interactive map to explore job openings in different regions across B.C.
British Columbia
345expected job openings (5-year forecast)
Education and training
Employment requirements
Specialized livestock workers may require a college certificate or other specialized training in agriculture or livestock husbandry.
There are no specific education or training requirements for farm machinery operators. However, a college certificate or specialized courses related to farming, such as farm equipment mechanics, agricultural welding and pesticide application, are available.
Basic farm knowledge, usually obtained from working on a family farm, may be required for employment.
Additional information
Specialized livestock workers usually specialize in one type of farm animal such as beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry or swine.
Progression to supervisory positions is possible with experience.
Certification requirements
Post-secondary programs in B.C.
No post-secondary education required
No post-secondary education required. You can work in this career without post-secondary education. Some on the job training may be provided. With additional training or experience, you may be able to progress into higher level, supervisory or management positions.