Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, and Specialized Livestock Workers

(NOC 8252)

in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Agricultural service contractors, who own and operate their own businesses, provide agricultural services such as livestock and poultry breeding, soil preparation, crop planting, crop spraying, cultivating or harvesting. This could include managing businesses which provide agricultural livestock or crop services; supervising farm workers; developing work schedules and establishing procedures; maintaining quality control and production records; maintaining financial records; and hiring and supervising staff. Farm supervisors oversee the work of general farm workers and harvesting labourers, and perform general farm duties. Specialized livestock workers carry out or supervise feeding, health, and breeding programs on dairy, beef, sheep, poultry, swine and other livestock farms.

Job Outlook

Limited

Estimate decline employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 15 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2016

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Estimate Decline slightly employment change, 2017-2019
Estimate 910 openings due to growth and retirements, 2017-2019
Estimate High rate of unemployment in 2016

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “limited”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is below average when compared with other occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent and jobseekers may face competition. The number employed in this occupation is expected to decline moderately over the next few years, which will likely limit the number of new opportunities available. With a large percent of workers being 55 years of age and older, retirements are expected to be a key contributor to employment opportunities over the coming years. Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, and Specialized Livestock Workers most commonly work full-time hours.

The median employment income for 58% of Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, and Specialized Livestock Workers who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $33,516. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, 59% of those who worked full-time year round had a median employment income of $43,600.
(Source: 2016 Census)

Hourly Pay

N/A

Minimum

N/A

Median

N/A

Maximum

Annual Pay

N/A

Minimum

$23,199

Median

$68,120

Maximum

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

Hourly Pay

$12.55

Minimum

$16.00

Median

$31.88

Maximum

Annual Pay

$4,009

Minimum

$23,520

Median

$87,170

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

Job duties

Agricultural service contractors perform some or all the following duties:

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 perform some or all of the following duties:

Coordinate and supervise the work of general farm workers and harvesting labourers.
Supervise and oversee breeding and other livestock-related programs.
Supervise and oversee growing and other crop-related operations.
Develop work schedules and establish procedures.
Ensure farm safety and bio-security procedures are followed.
Maintain quality control and production records.
May perform general farm duties.

Specialized livestock workers perform some or all of the following duties:

Formulate feeding programs.
Implement pasture or pen breeding programs.
Follow safety and bio-security procedures.
Recognize and treat certain livestock health problems.
Maintain livestock performance records.
Select livestock for sale.
Train horses.
Perform general farm duties.
May supervise general farm workers.
Farm supervisors may specialize in areas such as dairy, poultry, swine, beef, sheep, equine, fruit, vegetable, mixed or other specialty farming. Specialized livestock workers usually specialize in one type of farm animal such as beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry or swine.

Sample job titles

agriculture foreman/woman
crop dusting service contractor
farm supervisor
hatchery workers foreman/woman
hog farm supervisor
livestock attendant
poultry farm foreman/woman
vineyard workers foreman/woman
weed control service contractor - agriculture

Skills

For these jobs, you should enjoy working outdoors. Supervisory and communication skills are essential. You must be willing to try new processes and methods. The ability to adapt to constantly changing technologies is important for more efficient production. You must also be observant, innovative, and resourceful.

Job requirements

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.

Other considerations

Employment in this group can be highly seasonal.

By the numbers

Quick look

215

employed in 2016

86.0%

employed full-time

37.2%

self employed

43.1%

56.9%

median age

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

14,665

employed in 2016

84.0%

employed full-time

22.0%

self employed

15.1%

84.9%

44.6

median age

Where will I likely work?

35.3%

Annapolis Valley

33.3%

North Shore

13.7%

Southern

9.8%

Cape Breton

9.8%

Halifax

Compared to: All NS Occupations

47.0%

Halifax

15.6%

North Shore

12.9%

Annapolis Valley

12.7%

Cape Breton

11.8%

Southern

Top Industries of Employment

67.4%

Agriculture

8.7%

Educational Services

6.5%

Information, Culture & Recreation

4.3%

Wholesale Trade

4.3%

Forestry and Logging

What is the age of Employment?

27.3%

15-24

18.2%

45-54

18.2%

35-44

18.2%

55-64

18.2%

25-34

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

42.3%

45-54

26.1%

55-64

18.9%

35-44

8.1%

25-34

3.6%

65+

Top levels of education

32.6%

High school

$20,570 median annual income

20.9%

College certificate or diploma

$28,566 median annual income

20.9%

Less than high school

$20,512 median annual income

9.3%

Bachelor's degree

$26,086 median annual income

7.0%

Trades certificate

$19,480 median annual income

Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

34.0%

Less than high school

$14,445 median annual income

31.5%

High school

$14,229 median annual income

14.3%

This program is typically offered at the college or university level.

This instructional program class includes any program that generally focuses on the scientific classification of soils, soil properties, and their relationship to agricultural crops. These programs include courses in soil chemistry, soil physics, soil biology, soil fertility, morphogenesis, mineralogy, hydrology, agronomy, and soil conservation and management.

There are no schools in Nova Scotia offering this program.