NOC 84120: Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators

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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.

Main duties

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.

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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.
• A course or certificate in first aid may be required.

Good to know

• 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.

Codes in the same group

Official sources

• noc.esdc.gc.caNOC 2021 Version 1.0: 84120 Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators
• statcan.gc.caStatistics Canada: National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 Version 1.0
• canada.caIRCC: Find your National Occupational Classification (NOC)
• canada.caIRCC: Express Entry, who can apply