Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, & Aquacultural Animals

Also Called: Cowboy, Herdsman, Livestock Handler, Ranch Hand

What Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, & Aquacultural Animals do

Attend to live farm, ranch, open range or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, rabbits, finfish, shellfish, and bees. Attend to animals produced for animal products, such as meat, fur, skins, feathers, eggs, milk, and honey. Duties may include feeding, watering, herding, grazing, milking, castrating, branding, de-beaking, weighing, catching, and loading animals. May maintain records on animals; examine animals to detect diseases and injuries; assist in birth deliveries; and administer medications, vaccinations, or insecticides as appropriate. May clean and maintain animal housing areas. Includes workers who shear wool from sheep and collect eggs in hatcheries.

  • Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies.
  • Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.
  • Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.
Industry Areas:

Renewable Resources and Energy

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Work Context

  • Exposed to Contaminants
  • Face-to-Face Discussions
  • Contact With Others
  • Outdoors, Exposed to Weather
  • Spend Time Standing

Tools

  • Animal husbandry equipment
  • Veterinary injection or suction units or accessories
  • Egg inspection or collecting equipment
  • Hand sprayers
  • Veterinary nail trimmers or cutters

Technology

Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Data base user interface and query software
BCL Landview Systems WinCrop
Farm Works Software Trac
Office suite software
Microsoft Office

The Education & Training You Need

Skills

  • Critical Thinking
  • Monitoring
  • Active Listening
  • Judgment and Decision Making
  • Operation and Control

Knowledge

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods
manufacture and distribution of products
food production
Arts and Humanities
English language
Business
management
Math and Science
biology

Education

  • 39% Some college, no degree
  • 25% High school diploma or equivalent
  • 18% Less than high school diploma

Experience

Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.

What are your training options on the pathway to this occupation?

Are You a Good Fit?

Occupation Traits

  • Realistic (Doer)

Work Styles

  • Dependability
  • Independence
  • Adaptability/Flexibility
  • Attention to Detail
  • Integrity
  • Initiative

Values

  • Support
  • Relationships
  • Independence

Abilities

  • Hand and Finger Use
  • Ideas and Logic
  • Controlled Movement
  • Verbal

This is what Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, & Aquacultural Animals across the country typically make.

$12.26 / hour
$25,500 /year

Entry Level

$16.88 / hour
$35,120 /year

Median Level

$24.19 / hour
$50,300 /year

Experienced Level

Income information reflects a regional average.
Income information reflects a national average.

This career’s National Job Outlook is

Below Average

Please be sure to verify the outlook of this occupation with your instructor.

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