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Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals

Overview
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
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.

Education

These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

Job Training

Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Examples

These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

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.

Salary Salary

Salary at 10th Percentile: $19K
Salary at 25th Percentile: $23K
Median Salary: $29K
Salary at 75th Percentile: $36K
Salary at 90th Percentile: $46K

Demand
Career Demand by State Career Demand by State Legend
Core Tasks

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.

Mix feed, additives, and medicines in prescribed portions.

Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.

Shift animals between grazing areas to ensure that they have sufficient access to food.

Mark livestock to identify ownership and grade, using brands, tags, paint, or tattoos.

Protect herds from predators, using trained dogs.

Order food for animals, and arrange for its delivery.

Perform duties related to livestock reproduction, such as breeding animals within appropriate timeframes, performing artificial inseminations, and helping with animal births.

Drive trucks, tractors, and other equipment to distribute feed to animals.

Inspect, maintain, and repair equipment, machinery, buildings, pens, yards, and fences.

Patrol grazing lands on horseback or using all-terrain vehicles.

Segregate animals according to weight, age, color, and physical condition.

Collect, inspect, and place eggs in incubators, operate machines for egg washing, candling, and grading, and pack eggs in cartons.

Move equipment, poultry, or livestock from one location to another, manually or using trucks or carts.

Maintain growth, feeding, production, and cost records.

Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.

Groom, clip, trim, or castrate animals, dock ears and tails, or shear coats to collect hair.

Spray livestock with disinfectants and insecticides, or dip or bathe animals.

Trim and shear poultry beaks, toes, and wings using debeaking machines, heated hand shears, or hot wires.

Milk animals such as cows and goats, by hand or using milking machines.

Technology Skills
Technology
Example
Hot Technology
Data base user interface and query software
Farm Works Software Trac
Internet browser software
Web browser software
Office suite software
Microsoft Office
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Excel
Word processing software
Microsoft Word
Tools Used
Tool
Example
Agricultural and forestry and landscape machinery and equipment
Cattle chutes
Computer Equipment and Accessories
Desktop computers
Hand tools
Power drills
Heavy construction machinery and equipment
Backhoes
Material handling machinery and equipment
Feed conveyors
Measuring and observing and testing instruments
Electronic animal scales
Motor vehicles
Multipurpose tractors
Patient care and treatment products and supplies
Blood drawing syringes
Personal safety and protection
Dust and particulate respirators
Respiratory and anesthesia and resuscitation products
Nebulizers
Saddlery and harness goods
Horse bridles
Vehicle bodies and trailers
Animal trailers
Veterinary equipment and supplies
Hoof trimmers
Top 10 Knowledge Required
Biology
64%
Importance

Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Production and Processing
64%
Importance

Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.

Administration and Management
63%
Importance

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.

English Language
63%
Importance

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Mechanical
63%
Importance

Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Food Production
61%
Importance

Knowledge of techniques and equipment for planting, growing, and harvesting food products (both plant and animal) for consumption, including storage/handling techniques.

Mathematics
60%
Importance

Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Public Safety and Security
60%
Importance

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Transportation
57%
Importance

Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Economics and Accounting
56%
Importance

Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Top 10 Skills
Critical Thinking
68%
Importance

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Monitoring
65%
Importance

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

Active Listening
63%
Importance

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.

Judgment and Decision Making
63%
Importance

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Operation and Control
63%
Importance

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Operations Monitoring
63%
Importance

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Complex Problem Solving
60%
Importance

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

Coordination
60%
Importance

Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Reading Comprehension
60%
Importance

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.

Speaking
60%
Importance

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Top 10 Abilities
Problem Sensitivity
75%
Importance

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.

Control Precision
73%
Importance

The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Arm-Hand Steadiness
68%
Importance

The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

Deductive Reasoning
68%
Importance

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

Oral Comprehension
68%
Importance

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

Near Vision
65%
Importance

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Trunk Strength
65%
Importance

The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.

Far Vision
63%
Importance

The ability to see details at a distance.

Finger Dexterity
63%
Importance

The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

Inductive Reasoning
63%
Importance

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Top 10 Work Activities
Making Decisions and Solving Problems
80%
Importance

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
80%
Importance

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Performing General Physical Activities
80%
Importance

Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.

Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
76%
Importance

Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.

Handling and Moving Objects
75%
Importance

Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
73%
Importance

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
72%
Importance

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Documenting/Recording Information
71%
Importance

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Getting Information
71%
Importance

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People
71%
Importance

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

Detailed Work Activities

Care for animals.

Operate farming equipment.

Examine animals to detect illness, injury or other problems.

Treat animal injuries or illnesses.

Prepare materials or solutions for animal or plant use.

Maintain forestry, hunting, or agricultural equipment.

Transport animals, crops, or equipment.

Clean equipment or facilities.

Mark agricultural or forestry products for identification.

Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

Perform animal breeding procedures.

Classify organisms based on their characteristics or behavior.

Maintain operational records.

Package agricultural products for shipment or further processing.

Remove skin or other body parts from animals.

Work Context
Outdoors, Exposed to Weather

How often does this job require working outdoors, exposed to all weather conditions?

Exposed to Contaminants

How often does this job require working exposed to contaminants (such as pollutants, gases, dust or odors)?

Structured versus Unstructured Work

To what extent is this job structured for the worker, rather than allowing the worker to determine tasks, priorities, and goals?

Freedom to Make Decisions

How much decision making freedom, without supervision, does the job offer?

Outdoors, Under Cover

How often does this job require working outdoors, under cover (e.g., structure with roof but no walls)?

Spend Time Standing

How much does this job require standing?

Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings

How often does this job require exposure to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings?

Face-to-Face Discussions

How often do you have to have face-to-face discussions with individuals or teams in this job?

Frequency of Decision Making

How frequently is the worker required to make decisions that affect other people, the financial resources, and/or the image and reputation of the organization?

Spend Time Walking and Running

How much does this job require walking and running?

Education
Majors
Major
Agricultural Production Operations
Interests
Realistic
100%
Importance

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Conventional
34%
Importance

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Enterprising
19%
Importance

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Investigative
19%
Importance

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Artistic
15%
Importance

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Social
15%
Importance

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Top 10 Work Styles
Dependability
86%
Importance

Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

Independence
83%
Importance

Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.

Adaptability/Flexibility
81%
Importance

Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.

Attention to Detail
81%
Importance

Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

Integrity
80%
Importance

Job requires being honest and ethical.

Initiative
71%
Importance

Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

Self Control
71%
Importance

Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.

Cooperation
70%
Importance

Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

Innovation
69%
Importance

Job requires creativity and alternative thinking to develop new ideas for and answers to work-related problems.

Analytical Thinking
66%
Importance

Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.

Work Values
Support
48%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.

Relationships
43%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.

Independence
34%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Working Conditions
31%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.

Achievement
29%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.

Recognition
24%
Importance

Occupations that satisfy this work value offer advancement, potential for leadership, and are often considered prestigious. Corresponding needs are Advancement, Authority, Recognition and Social Status.