Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, and Specialized Livestock Workers

(NOC 8252)

in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining

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 Outlook

average

Estimate Moderate growth employment change, 2021-2023
Estimate 40 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
Estimate Moderate rate of unemployment in 2022

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

Estimate 415 employment change, 2021-2023
Estimate 1430 openings due to growth and retirements, 2021-2023
Estimate rate of unemployment not available for these occupation.

The employment outlook over the next few years for this occupational group is “average”, which indicates the chances of a qualified individual finding work is comparable to the average for all occupations in Nova Scotia. This is not a large occupation in Nova Scotia so job opportunities may not be that frequent. The number employed in this occupation is expected to grow significantly over the next few years, which will provide additional opportunities for employment. 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. Agriculture Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, and Specialized Livestock Workers most commonly work full-time hours. Also, a average portion of the workforce is self-employed, so having the option to "work for yourself" may appeal to some individuals’ interests/motivations.

The median employment income for 53% of Agriculture 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

$13.09

Minimum

$17.00

Median

$25.48

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

$24.84

Median

$32.00

Maximum

Annual Pay

$4,009

Minimum

$23,520

Median

$87,170

Maximum

About the job

Nature of work

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.

By the numbers

Quick look

255

employed in 2016

78.4%

employed full-time

31.4%

self employed

41.2%

58.8%

median age

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

14,665

employed in 2016

78.0%

employed full-time

20.0%

self employed

15.1%

84.9%

44.6

median age

Where will I likely work?

34.6%

Annapolis Valley

$22,347 median annual income

32.7%

North Shore

$21,877 median annual income

13.5%

Southern

$27,741 median annual income

9.6%

Cape Breton

N/A

9.6%

Halifax

N/A

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

70.5%

Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting

9.1%

Educational services

6.8%

Arts, entertainment and recreation

4.5%

Wholesale trade

4.5%

Public administration

What is the age of Employment?

27.0%

45-54

21.0%

55-64

15.0%

25-34

15.0%

35-44

12.0%

15-24

10.0%

65+

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

20.7%

45-54

19.8%

15-24

19.2%

55-64

16.2%

35-44

14.8%

25-34

Top levels of education

33.3%

High school

$23,194 median annual income

23.5%

Less than high school

$26,404 median annual income

15.7%

College Diploma

$40,989 median annual income

7.8%

Bachelor

N/A

5.9%

Master

N/A

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

35.7%

Less than high school

$23,463 median annual income

30.8%

High school

$19,301 median annual income

13.7%

College Diploma

$29,551 median annual income

13.4%

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs apply biological and chemical principles to the production and management of livestock animals and the production and handling of meat and other products. They include courses in animal sciences, range science, nutrition sciences, food science and technology, biochemistry, and related aspects of human and animal health and safety.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University

Halifax, NS

admissions@dal.ca

Website

Plant Protection and Integrated Pest Management

College, Trades, or University Program

These programs apply scientific principles of controlling the animal and weed infestation of domesticated plant populations including agricultural crops, preventing/reducing economic loss, and controlling environmental pollution and degradation related to pest infestation and pest control measures. They include courses in entomology, applicable animal sciences, plant pathology and physiology, weed science, crop science, and environmental toxicology.

Institutions providing this program

Dalhousie University Faculty of Agriculture

Truro, NS