Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, and Specialized Livestock Workers

Nature of work

Agricultural service contractors provide agricultural services like livestock and poultry breeding, soil preparation, crop planting, crop spraying, cultivating, or harvesting. Farm supervisors oversee the work of general farm workers and harvesting labourers and complete 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. Contractors may be self-employed. Farm supervisors may specialize in areas like dairy, poultry, swine, beef, sheep, equine, fruit, vegetable, mixed or other specialty farming. Specialized livestock workers usually specialize in one type of farm animal like beef cattle, dairy cattle, poultry, or swine.

Job duties

Agricultural service contractors:

• Provide agricultural livestock services like artificial insemination, livestock spraying or shearing or disinfecting pens, barns, or poultry houses.
• Provide agricultural crop services like plowing, irrigating, cultivating, spraying, or harvesting.
• Help develop and implement 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 delivery of services or in the use of machinery and equipment.

Farm supervisors:

• 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.
• Make sure farm safety and bio-security procedures are followed.
• Maintain quality control and production records.
• May complete general farm duties.

Specialized livestock workers:

• Create 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.
• Complete general farm duties.
• May supervise general farm workers.

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

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 need a university degree, college diploma or industry courses in agricultural studies and several years of experience related to the service offered.
• Contractors providing services like 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.

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Contacts

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