Job description Dairy Hand in the Thompson–Okanagan Region

Find out what work is like for a dairy hand in Canada. This work description is applicable to all General farm workers (NOC 85100).

Livestock labourers

Description

Livestock labourers assist other farm workers to raise cattle, poultry and other animals, to help carry out feeding, health and breeding programs, to process animal products and to assist in the maintenance and repair of farm equipment and buildings. They are employed on livestock farms.

Work week duration

Livestock labourers usually work between 35 to 40 hours per week.
Between 35 to 40 hours

Job duties

Here are some of the main activities and tasks that Livestock labourers have to perform, and some of the physical demands they involve:

  • Feed and tend livestock, poultry and other animals
  • Milk animals such as cows and goats, manually or with a machine
  • Sort, brand and handle animals
  • Maintain or assist in the maintenance of facilities and farm infrastructure including cleaning stables, barns, barnyards and pens
  • Assist with breeding activities
  • May monitor health of animals and provide care
  • May prepare animals for transportation
  • May operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment.

Physical demands Help - Physical Demands

  • Handling material manually
  • Standing
  • Walking and running
  • Bending or twisting the body
  • Making repetitive motions

Physical demands

Physical demands are the physical activities that the job requires the worker to do. Physical demands are selected according to the likeliness that workers will have to perform them for at least half of the time they spend at work.

Workplaces and employers

Here are the typical workplaces where Livestock labourers are employed and some of their main characteristics:

  • Crop farms
  • Specialty farms
  • Livestock farms
  • Fruit and vegetable farms

Work environment Help - Physical Work Environment

  • Outside, exposed to weather
  • Dangerous chemical substances
  • Extreme temperatures
  • In an open vehicle or equipment
  • Sound and noise
  • Skin injury

Physical proximity from others Help - Physical proximity from others

  • Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Work environment

The work environment refers to the physical setting in which people work. The characteristics and conditions of the work environment are selected according to the likeliness that workers will be exposed to them at least once a week.

Physical proximity from others

Physical proximity from others refers to the physical distance between individuals in the workplace. The likeliness that the job requires to perform tasks while being physically close to other people is rated on a scale with 3 levels: "Somewhat close", "Close" and "Very close".

Related job titles

Here are some other related job titles that are found in the same occupational category (NOC 85100), and a list of similar occupations:

  • beef cattle farm worker
  • cattle ranch labourer
  • dairy farm worker
  • livestock labourer
  • poultry farm worker

Similar occupations Help - Similar occupations

Similar occupations

This section lists other occupations that are part of the same broad occupational category as Livestock labourers in the National Occupational Classification (NOC). These occupations involve similar core qualifications but involve different responsibilities. To see more similar occupations, use the Job Transition Tool.

Sources Occupational and Skills Information System & National Occupational Classification

Labour Market Information Survey
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