What skills does a livestock worker need?

A livestock worker needs 15 essential skills including animal nutrition, agronomical production principles, biology, livestock feeding, computerised feeding systems. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace livestock worker jobs?

The AI disruption score for livestock worker is 19/100 (low risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Agriculture & EnvironmentAgricultural, forestry and fishery labourersISCO 9212

livestock worker

Livestock workers maintain the health and welfare of animals. They oversee the breeding/production and day-to-day care such as feeding and watering of animals.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (15)

animal nutritionanimal nutritionAspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.agronomical production principlesagronomical production principlesThe techniques, methods and principles of conventional agronomical production.biologybiologyTissues, cells, and functions of plant and animal organisms and their interdependencies and interactions with each other and the environment.livestock feedinglivestock feedingFood given to domestic animals in the course of animal husbandry.computerised feeding systemscomputerised feeding systemsThe functioning of computered controlled systems that provide animal feeding.operate agricultural machineryoperate agricultural machineryOperate motorised agricultural equipment including tractors, balers, sprayers, ploughs, mowers, combines, earthmoving equipment, trucks, and irrigation equipment.control livestock diseasecontrol livestock diseaseControl the spread of disease and parasites in herds, by using vaccination and medication, and by separating sick animals.maintain farm equipmentmaintain farm equipmentUse oil, grease guns, and hand tools to lubricate, adjust, and make minor repairs to farm equipment.maintain the farmmaintain the farmMaintain farm facilities such as fences, water supplies, and outdoor buildings.recycle livestock manurerecycle livestock manureApply livestock manure management techniques at appropriate application windows to recycle livestock manure as organic nutrients for soil and lower the impact on the environment.breed stockbreed stockBreed and raise livestock such as cattle, poultry, and honeybees. Use recognised breeding practices to strive for continuous improvement in the livestock.manage the health and welfare of livestockmanage the health and welfare of livestockAssess the current health status of your livestock. Manage any existing disease or disorder, including the requirements for isolation of livestock. Plan and manage a livestock health and welfare plan ...perform farm equipment hygieneperform farm equipment hygieneClean and sanitise equipment used in milking: milk storage tanks, collection cups, and udders of the animals. Ensure that procedures for the sanitary handling of milk are followed.maintain pasturesmaintain pasturesEnsure that animals on pastures or grazing lands have enough feed. Employ pasture-conservation measures such as grazing in rotation.assist animal birthassist animal birthAssist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock. Make sure the animal has a clean and quiet place where it can give birth. Have clean drying towels handy at hand and a bottle filled with iodin...

Optional (35)

equine dental diseasesequine dental diseasesPrevention, diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases for horses.agritourismagritourismAspects of agritourism involving agriculturally based activities to bring visitors to a farm.slaughter animalsslaughter animalsKill animals, usually domestic livestock, for food. Protect animal welfare at slaughter by minimising the pain, distress or suffering of animals at the time of killing. Follow relevant regulations and...monitor cropsmonitor cropsMonitor the growth of the crops to ensure the crops are free from diseases, harmful chemicals and organisms.train horsestrain horsesHarness, dress and train horses as per the instructions provided. Take into account the age and breed of the horse and the preparation purposes.order suppliesorder suppliesCommand products from relevant suppliers to get convenient and profitable products to purchase.handle pigshandle pigsCarry out specialised procedures such as branding, tagging, castration, tail-docking and tooth cutting in humane manner taking into account the hygiene, welfare and safety regulations.store raw food materialsstore raw food materialsKeep in reserve raw materials and other food supplies, following stock control procedures.harvest cropharvest cropMow, pick or cut agricultural crop products manually or using appropriate tools and machinery. Taking into account the relevant quality criteria of products, hygiene prescriptions and using the approp...serve food in table serviceserve food in table serviceProvide food at the table whilst maintaining high level of customer service and food safety standards.maintain linen operationmaintain linen operationKeep daily operations of a linen stock, including its distribution, maintenance, rotation and storage.breed snailsbreed snailsPrepare a suitable environment for snail breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of snails. Monitor the snail's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Identify ...dock pig's taildock pig's tailCut off part of the tail of pigs to keep stressed animals from biting each other's tails.breed ducksbreed ducksPrepare a suitable environment for duck breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of ducks. Monitor the duck's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Determinate ...manage grain storagemanage grain storageTransport grain to silos to be stored. Burn or bale any leftover straw.perform milk controlperform milk controlCarry out controlling the quality and quantity of the milk following biosecurity regulations.manage crop productionmanage crop productionPerform crop production duties such as planning, tilling, planting, fertilising, cultivating, spraying, and harvesting. Supervise all steps of the crop production and ranging process, including planti...clean roomsclean roomsClean rooms by cleaning glasswork and windows, polishing furniture, vacuuming carpets, scrubing hard floors, and removing garbage.present the farm facilitiespresent the farm facilitiesPerform customer adapted presentations of the farm organization and farm processes taking under consideration the farm sustainability and local environment.breed ostrichesbreed ostrichesPrepare a suitable environment for ostrich breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of ostriches. Monitor the ostrich's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Id...direct the preparation of fooddirect the preparation of foodOversee the preparation of a variety of dishes such as soups, salads, fish, meats, vegetables or desserts. Participate in and direct food preparation either on a day-to-day basis, or for special guest...skin animalsskin animalsSkin animals in an appropriate manner considering the end purpose of the skin. Strip off the hide of an animal to prepare for processing the carcass, or to use the skin or fur. Use case skinning for s...breed goatsbreed goatsPrepare a suitable environment for goat breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of goats. Monitor the goat's growth and health and ensure correct feeding.arrange tablesarrange tablesOrganise and dress tables to accommodate special events.install irrigation systemsinstall irrigation systemsInstall and shift irrigation systems to distribute water according to needs. Install sprinkler systems and adjust the pumps, main feeder and lateral lines, sprinkler heads, valves, PVC pipes, controls...process dairy farm productsprocess dairy farm productsCarry out on-farm processing of diary products using appropriate methods and equipment, following food hygiene regulations.monitor the production of eggsmonitor the production of eggsMeasure control of temperature and humidity in incubators and keep records of egg production.operate dairy farmsoperate dairy farmsOperate farms for the long-term production of milk and other dairy products, such as butter, cheese, yogurt, and other common household staples, which will be used for human consumption.manage farm suppliesmanage farm suppliesManage farm supplies by taking care of the purchase and storing procedures. Select and purchase supplies and equipment such as seeds, livestock feed, fertilisers and farm machinery.milk animalsmilk animalsMilk cows and other farm animals, manually or using mechanical means.process harvested honeyprocess harvested honeyHarvest and process honey according to health, safety and biosecurity regulations.handle feathershandle feathersClean, sort, dry and package feathers taking into account the company policy and specific orders.conduct shearing of woolconduct shearing of woolCarry out sheep or goat wool shearing and initial processing and packaging as appropriate. Work with the shearers to reach standards described in the farm policy manual.raise hensraise hensKeep hens in order to produce table eggs for eating or fertile eggs for breeding.cut pig's teethcut pig's teethCut or grind off part of a piglet's teeth. Take adequate measures to protect hearing from loud vocalisations of piglet.