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Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

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

What they 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.

On the job, you would:
  • 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.
On the job, you'll need:

Manufactured or Agricultural Goods

  • manufacture and distribution of products
  • food production

Arts and Humanities

  • English language

Business

  • management

Math and Science

  • biology

Basic Skills

  • thinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements

Problem Solving

  • noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Hand and Finger Use

  • keep your arm or hand steady
  • hold or move items with your hands

Ideas and Logic

  • notice when problems happen
  • use rules to solve problems

Controlled Movement

  • quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat
  • use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

Verbal

  • listen and understand what people say

Realistic

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.

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

Spreadsheet software

  • Microsoft Excel

Data base user interface and query software

  • BCL Landview Systems WinCrop
  • Farm Works Software Trac

Office suite software

  • Microsoft Office software

Video courtesy of CareerOneStop.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for this position is Below Average.

New job opportunities are less likely in the future.

Median Annual Salary: $34,150

Education

Some college or high school diploma/GED is usually needed.

Explore More

See other careers in the Farming, Forestry, Fishing, & Hunting industry.