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Farmer, Milk Producer
In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.
The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:
| Starting | $25.98 |
|---|---|
| Overall | $31.36 |
| Top | $34.45 |
Interest in supervising and hiring farm workers; and in determining amounts and kinds of crops to be grown and livestock to be raised, and in purchasing farm machinery, livestock, seed, feed and other supplies
Interest in co-ordinating information to plant, cultivate and harvest crops; and in raising and breeding livestock and poultry
Interest in driving - operating and maintaining farm machinery, equipment and buildings
The interest code helps you figure out if you’d like to work in a particular occupation.
It’s based on the Canadian Work Preference Inventory (CWPI), which measures 5 occupational interests: Directive, Innovative, Methodical, Objective and Social.
Each set of 3 interest codes is listed in order of importance.
A code in capital letters means it’s a strong fit for the occupation.
A code in all lowercase letters means the fit is weaker.
Dairy producers own and operate dairies. Owners of small- or medium-sized dairies do most of the work themselves. Owners of large dairy farms may hire supervisors and herdspersons.
In general, their duties include:
The dairy industry runs under a supply-management system. That means all dairy producers must obtain a quota from Alberta Milk before they can ship milk to processing plants. Once they obtain a quota, they must produce the specified amounts at all times.
Dairy producers work indoors in barns and dairy offices. They also work outdoors in all kinds of weather. Modern barns are well ventilated. Manure is flushed out regularly.
Working hours are long and can vary. Dairy producers must stick to a strict daily schedule, but they may also work split shifts, depending on the time of year. They milk and feed cows 2 or 3 times a day, 365 days a year.
Technology and automation have made this work less tedious and physically demanding than it once was. But the work still requires daily management and repetitive manual labour.
Dairy producers must follow safety precautions to avoid injury when working with machinery. They must also wear protective clothing.
Dairy producers need:
They should have few or no allergies to grains, feeds, animals, or dust. They should enjoy:
This chart shows which job skills are currently in highest demand for this occupational group. It was created using this occupation's 17 most recent Alberta job postings, collected between Dec 29, 2020 and Jul 28, 2021.
Review these skills to learn:
| Personal Suitability: Initiative | 16 |
|---|---|
| Personal Suitability: Flexibility | 16 |
| Personal Suitability: Values and ethics | 16 |
| Personal Suitability: Organized | 16 |
| Personal Suitability: Effective interpersonal skills | 15 |
| Personal Suitability: Team player | 15 |
| Personal Suitability: Excellent oral communication | 15 |
| Personal Suitability: Judgement | 14 |
| Perform general farm duties | 12 |
| Maintain farm machinery, equipment and buildings | 12 |
Dairy production is a specialized business. Many dairy producers have post-secondary education and additional training related to:
The Government of Alberta offers the Green Certificate Program. The program provides apprenticeship-style training. It combines hands-on farm mentorship with formal education.
The program is free and available to students at all Alberta high schools. Various specializations, such as dairy production, are offered at each level. Graduates of the Level I Green Certificate Program are certified as farm production technicians. They may earn credits toward their high school diploma for each specialization they complete. Level II (farm production supervisor) and III (agribusiness manager) Green Certificates are also available. They are meant for people interested in a career in agriculture.
To participate in the Green Certificate Program, trainees must be at least 15 years of age and in grade 10, 11, or 12. The training takes about a year. That allows trainees to experience all 4 seasons on a farm.
For more information on registration requirements and other details, students may visit the Green Certificate Program website or ask their guidance counsellor.
The following schools offer programs or courses that are related to this occupation but are not required to enter the field.
For a broad list of programs and courses that may be related to this occupation try searching using keywords.
There is currently no provincial legislation regulating this occupation in Alberta.
It is expensive to set up a dairy operation. Initial costs include land, buildings, meeting production quota, equipment, and cows. Ongoing costs include feed, veterinarian fees, breeding expenses, and labour. There are also operating costs, such as facility upkeep, utilities, and fuel. Programs may be available to help with some of these costs. Alberta Milk’s New Entrants Assistance Program is one example.
There are various jobs at large dairy operations. Examples are general farm workers, dairy workers, milkers, calf raisers, dairy herd operators, herdspersons, assistant herdspersons, and dairy managers. With courses, on-the-job training, and experience, general workers on dairy farms can advance to positions with more responsibility.
Those who have university degrees and dairy farm experience may move into positions with government, inspection agencies, industry organizations, or private businesses, like feed companies or equipment companies.
Dairy producers are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classification 0821: Managers in agriculture. In Alberta, 97% of people employed in this classification work in the Agricultural [pdf] industry.
The employment outlook [pdf] in this occupation is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:
Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.
Dairy production ensures the dairy producer a regular monthly income. However, total incomes vary from one dairy operation to another depending on the size of the herd, its production capacity, and the size of the operation’s debt load (loans and major expenses). Dairy farm income often is supplemented by sales of surplus animals, purebred stock, and crop products such as grain and forage.
| Wages* | Low (5th percentile) | High (95th percentile) | Average | Median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting | $15.00 | $50.00 | $25.98 | $23.00 |
| Overall | $19.04 | $57.69 | $31.36 | $28.85 |
| Top | $20.81 | $61.20 | $34.45 | $31.67 |
Swipe left and right to view all data. Scroll left and right to view all data.
* All wage estimates are hourly except where otherwise indicated. Wages and salaries do not include overtime hours, tips, benefits, profit shares, bonuses (unrelated to production) and other forms of compensation.
Good Reliability, represents a CV of between 6.01% and 15.00% and/or fewer than 30 survey observations and/or if survey observations represent less than 50% of all estimated employment for the occupation.
| Public Administration | $83,777 |
|---|---|
| ALL INDUSTRIES | $70,992 |
| Agriculture | $69,863 |
Government of Alberta website, Agriculture and Forestry: www.agric.gov.ab.ca
Alberta Milk website: albertamilk.com
Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.
Updated Dec 31, 2018. The information contained in this profile is current as of the dates shown. Salary, employment outlook, and educational program information may change without notice. It is advised that you confirm this information before making any career decisions.