Mid Green occupationAgriculture, environmental and animal care
General farm worker - livestock worker
Support the operation of a farm.
Summary
This occupation is found in..
Agriculture, Animal Health and Welfare
The broad purpose of the occupation is …
to support the operation of farm enterprises through maintaining a culture of health and safety, biosecurity, engaging with third parties, maintaining crop, animal handling and health, maintenance and cleanliness of machinery. The General Farm Worker will typically be required to drive farm vehicles and must hold the appropriate license. The individual will work alongside the supervisor, supporting daily operations for the farm enterprises including identifying and maintaining animal or plant health performance, conducting routine tasks and assisting with general record keeping practices. The individual will manage the storage of forage and crop, minimising waste and disposing of necessary waste appropriately. Animal welfare and risk awareness and prevention are integral to this occupation.
A General Farm Worker is likely to specialise in Livestock or Crop. This Apprenticeship Standard takes a core and options approach. All apprentices will complete the core and must select the one most appropriate option to their role: Livestock Worker or Crop Worker.
In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with …
the internal farm team reporting to a line manager, and with a number of external stakeholders including vets, farm advisor, contractors and other consultants to the business.
An employee in this occupation will be responsible for …
carrying out routine work set by their supervisor, to the required business standards. This includes assisting with animal and plant health and nutrition, maintaining health and safety and biosecurity, operating farm vehicles and optimising the environmental impacts of animal and crop performance. Office work is minimal although basic daily record keeping will be required. Typical working hours will depend on farm type and labour structure. A farm worker will be expected to do long hours, only as permitted within UK employment law.
Typical job titles include
- Assistant herdsperson | General farm operative | Shepherd | Stockperson | Tractor driver
Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)
K1:
How to prepare risk assessments including identifying risks and hazards on the farm, and where to get advice and guidance
K2:
The importance of biosecurity and how it is managed
K3:
How animal welfare requirements are met and signs of health and, or ill health in livestock (cattle: beef and dairy, pigs, sheep and goats). The zoonotic, non-zoonotic and notifiable diseases (for example, BSE) and their impact on human health
K4:
The responsibilities relating to movement of livestock, under health and safety and animal welfare legislation, regulation and local policy.. This should include suitable methods of restraint and handling for stock of different ages.
K5:
How to prepare and operate agricultural vehicles and attachments in accordance with relevant legislation. For example, tractor, quad bike, All Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Forklift
K6:
Concepts of good environmental, social and economic practice, including regulations, subsidies and basic understanding of how to contribute to government-led sustainability and zero carbon targets
K7:
The significance of producing crops to specifications and how this can be achieved.
K8:
The most commonly used technology or automation options. For example, Robotic milking, EID tagging, GPS tracking and why maintenance is needed.
K9:
The importance of reducing waste, waste legislation and how this can be implemented in the workplace.
K10:
How to identify the quantity and quality of grass for grazing and crops for forage production, for livestock at different stages of production.
K11:
Feed, nutritional and water requirements of livestock at different stages of production
K12:
Basics of reproductive system of male and female livestock. Methods of service to aid conception (for example, artificial insemination, natural conception), pregnancy, parturition and problems that could occur during the reproductive cycle.
K18:
The principles and importance of maintaining farm buildings, field boundaries and fences (electrified and non-electrified). This includes the legal and safety ramifications if maintenance is ineffective.
K19:
Different customer requirements for product quality.
K20:
The five welfare needs of animals: a. its need for a suitable environment (cleanliness and manure management) b. its need for a suitable diet (and water) c. Its need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns d. any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals in appropriate social groupings e. its need to be protected from fear, pain, suffering, injury and disease injury and disease including legal and appropriate, to livestock’s species and age, euthanasia.
Technical Educational Products
- ST0937: General farm worker - livestock worker (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0937B
- Status:
Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £29,783 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5111 Farmers
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5111/05 Livestock farmers
- 5111/04 Dairy farmers
S1:
Identify hazards and risks in the workplace, prepare risk assessments and demonstrate high level of health and safety awareness at all times.
S2:
Maintain the correct hygiene and bio-security procedures for the site, in accordance with relevant legal requirements
S3:
Check that animal welfare needs related to their environment and housing are maintained, including manure management, ensuring the suitability of indoor and outdoor environment and bedding up of animals
S4:
Assist with safe restraint, moving and handling of livestock.
S5:
Legally operate a farm vehicle and each attachment according to health and safety requirements. For example, tractors and ATVs along with other vehicles integral to the business.
S6:
Demonstrate good environmental practice in the workplace, in accordance with environmental assessment plans and associated legal requirements
S7:
Assist with post-harvest activities to meet crop and forage specifications, in a safe and environmentally acceptable way
S8:
Carry out maintenance of farm infrastructure (including housing for livestock, boundaries and electric or non-electric fences), machinery and equipment, as instructed
S9:
Monitor and maintain health & welfare of livestock and assist with treatments when appropriate.
S10:
Monitor the quantity and quality of grass and forage crops and report findings to appropriate person.
S11:
Provide feed and water to livestock as instructed and report any issues to appropriate person
S12:
Assist with caring for livestock during the reproductive cycle, from service to weaning. For example, identify signs of heat.
S16:
Complete manual and electronic records in accordance with legislation and the business processes.
S17:
Produce products for sale from the business (for example, milking, shearing, lambing, harvesting)
Technical Educational Products
- ST0937: General farm worker - livestock worker (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0937B
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £29,783 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5111 Farmers
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5111/05 Livestock farmers
- 5111/04 Dairy farmers
B1:
Acts responsibly to provide a high standard of welfare and biosecurity to livestock and crops under their care.
B2:
Have a team-based approach to work
B3:
Is customer focused
B4:
Proactively undertakes continuous professional development
B5:
Able to adapt to change in conditions, technologies, situations and working environments.
B6:
A clear and effective communicator
B7:
Able to give and receive information timely and accurately
B8:
Ability to use own initiative and know when to seek help
B9:
Work proactively with internal and external people to achieve positive outcomes
Technical Educational Products
- ST0937: General farm worker - livestock worker (Level 2) Approved for delivery
- Reference:
- OCC0937B
- Status:
- Approved occupation
- Average (median) salary:
- £29,783 per year
- SOC 2020 code:
- 5111 Farmers
- SOC 2020 sub unit groups:
- 5111/05 Livestock farmers
- 5111/04 Dairy farmers
