Agricultural Service Contractors, Farm Supervisors, and Specialized Livestock Workers
(NOC 8252)
in All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and MiningAgricultural 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
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Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
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
MinimumN/A
MedianN/A
MaximumAnnual Pay
N/A
Minimum$23,199
Median$68,120
MaximumCompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Hourly Pay
$11.55
Minimum$16.00
Median$31.88
MaximumAnnual Pay
$4,009
Minimum$23,520
Median$87,170
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
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 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
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Annapolis Valley
Northern
Southern
Cape Breton
Halifax
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
Northern
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Agriculture
Educational Services
Information, Culture & Recreation
Forestry and Logging
Public Administration
What is the age of Employment?
15-24
35-44
55-64
25-34
45-54
Compared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
45-54
55-64
35-44
25-34
65+
Top levels of education
High school
$20,570 median annual incomeLess than high school
$20,512 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$28,566 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$26,086 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$19,480 median annual incomeCompared to: All Farming, Fishing, Forestry, and Mining
Less than high school
$14,445 median annual incomeHigh school
$14,229 median annual incomeCollege certificate or diploma
$21,289 median annual incomeTrades certificate
$19,107 median annual incomeBachelor's degree
$15,980 median annual incomeEducation & training
Agricultural business and management - General
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This program includes any general program that focuses on modern business and economic principles involved in the organization, operation, and management of agricultural enterprises.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 550
Truro, NS B2N 5E3
(902) 893-6600
Animal sciences - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on the scientific principles that underlie the breeding and husbandry of agricultural animals, and the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural animal products. These programs include courses in the animal sciences, animal husbandry and production, and agricultural and food products processing.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 550
Truro, NS B2N 5E3
(902) 893-6600
Crop production
This program may be offered at the college, trades, or university level.This instructional program class includes any program that prepares individuals to cultivate grain, fibre, forage, oilseed, fruits and nuts, vegetables, and other domesticated plant products. These programs include courses in basic principles of plant science, health, and nutrition as applied to particular species and breeds; soil preparation and irrigation; pest management; planting and harvesting operations; product marketing; and applicable issues of safety, regulation, logistics, and supply.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 550
Truro, NS B2N 5E3
(902) 893-6600
Plant sciences - General
This program is typically offered at the college or university level.This instructional program class includes any general program that focuses on the scientific principles that underlie the breeding, cultivation, and production of agricultural plants, and the production, processing, and distribution of agricultural plant products. These programs include courses in the plant sciences, crop cultivation and production, and agricultural and food products processing.
Institutions providing this program
PO Box 550
Truro, NS B2N 5E3
(902) 893-6600
Soil science and agronomy - General
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.
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.