Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

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This occupation is part of the Farming, Fishing, and Forestry cluster

About the Job

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.

It is also Called

  • Animal Care Taker
  • Animal Feeder
  • Animal Herder
  • Animal Husbandry Worker
  • Animal Keeper
  • Aquaculture Worker
  • Aquatic Laborer
  • Aquatic Life Laborer
  • Artificial Breeding Distributor
  • Bait Digger

What They Do

  • Protect herds from predators, using trained dogs.
  • Feed and water livestock; and monitor food and water supplies.
  • 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, and/or pumps.
  • Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.

Interests

People who work in this occupation generally have the interest code: R.

This means people who work in this occupation generally have Realistic interests.

Work Values

People who work in this occupation generally prize Support, but also value Relationships and Independence in their jobs.

Things They Need to Know

  • Administration and Management - Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
  • Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Biology - Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
  • Production and Processing - Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
  • English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Things They Need to Be Able to Do

  • 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.
  • Critical Thinking - Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Operation Monitoring - Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
  • Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • 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.

Education Required

Some of these occupations may require a high school diploma or GED certificate.

Wages

In 2012, the average annual wage in California was $25,560.00 with most people making between $17,900.00 and $37,890.00

Outlook

0.16%
avg. annual growth

During 2010, this occupation employed approximately 12,900 people in California. It is projected that there will be 13,000 employed in 2020.

This occupation will have about 20 openings due to growth and about 390 replacement openings for approximately 410 total annual openings.

Industries that Employ this Occupation

Industry breakdown is not available for this occupation

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