Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Attend to live farm, ranch, or aquacultural animals that may include cattle, sheep, swine, goats, horses and other equines, poultry, 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, 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.

Median Annual Wage: $22,930

Projected Growth: Little or no change (-2% to 2%)

Related Job Titles: Farm Hand; Livestock Handler; Cowboy; Ranch Hand; Farrowing Worker; Herdsman; Milking Worker; Vaccinator; Breeding Technician; Egg Gatherer

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Source: O*NET OnLine information for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals.

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  • Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.
  • Examine animals to detect illness, injury, or disease, and to check physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.
  • Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.
  • Mix feed, additives, and medicines in prescribed portions.
  • Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.
  • Move equipment, poultry, or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or carts.
  • Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.
  • Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.
  • Herd livestock to pastures for grazing or to scales, trucks, or other enclosures.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals.

  • Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Operation and Control - Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
  • Complex Problem Solving - Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Troubleshooting - Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.
  • Equipment Selection - Determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.

Source: O*NET OnLine information for Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals.

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