Livestock and Poultry 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.

2006 NOC

• 8251: Farmers and Farm Managers

2006 NOC-S

• I011: Farmers and Farm Managers

2011 NOC

• 0821: Managers in agriculture

2016 NOC

• 0821: Managers in agriculture

2021 NOC

• 80020: Managers in agriculture

2023 OaSIS

• 80020.00: Managers in agriculture

The duties of livestock and poultry producers vary depending on which livestock they are raising and for what purpose. They use recognized breeding practices to continually improve herds or flocks. They also:

• Determine market requirements and select breeding stock
• Attend animals during birthing if required
• Feed and water animals during each stage of their growth and development (most often an automated process)
• Control the spread of disease and parasites through biosecurity, vaccination, and by separating sick animals from the rest
• Maintain sanitary conditions and ventilation in barns and other enclosures, and manage waste (manure)
• Maintain pasture or grazing lands to ensure animals have enough feed
• Purchase, produce, process, and store livestock feed
• Provide humane handling and transport for livestock
• Take part in developing and implementing animal welfare and quality assurance programs
• Use computer applications to keep production, breeding, and financial records
• Evaluate marketing alternatives (packing plants, public stockyards, or rural auction markets)
• Maintain enclosures and handling systems
• Repair and maintain barns, buildings, equipment, and machinery

They may produce, harvest, and store feed crops. They also may recruit and supervise staff.

As well, breeders of purebred animals:

• Keep detailed records of identification, performance, and pedigree, which provide the basis for genetic improvements and sale prices
• Develop screening programs to continually improve the herd or flock by culling lower-quality animals
• Promote their animals to increase market opportunities

In automated operations, livestock and poultry producers must clean and sterilize equipment. They must also monitor and repair the equipment as needed.

Livestock producers usually specialize in one type of operation.

Beef cattle producers own or manage three types of operations:

• Commercial cow-calf operations raise calves for their meat and market them through private sale, public stockyards, or rural auction markets.
• Purebred cow-calf operations raise specific breeds of purebred cattle to sell as breeding stock to commercial herds.
• Feedlot operations feed calves or yearlings to a standard level of finish (fatness) before selling them to packing plants for slaughter.

Swine producers own or manage two types of operations:

• Commercial swine producers keep breeding stock to produce piglets or buy them from other producers. They then raise the piglets to market weight.
• Purebred swine breeders raise purebred hogs for sale as breeding stock to commercial swine producers.

Poultry producers own or manage three types of operations:

• Table egg producers ensure the steady production of high-quality eggs for consumption.
• Hatching egg producers ensure the steady production of high-quality eggs for hatcheries.
• Commercial chicken producers and commercial turkey producers raise chickens and turkeys for meat. They market their birds to processing plants across Canada.

Sheep farmers or ranchers own or manage three types of operations:

• Purebred breeders supply the sheep industry with top-quality breeding stock of various breeds.
• Commercial lamb producers maintain a flock of ewes to produce wool. They also raise lambs for slaughter.
• Feedlot lamb producers feed lambs obtained from commercial herds. They raise them on special rations until they are ready for slaughter.

Alternative livestock producers own or manage non-traditional types of livestock operations:

• Breeding stock producers raise animals to supply industry with quality breeding males and females.
• Other producers raise animals for slaughter or for the collection of by-products.
• Certified organic operations produce livestock and poultry according to the general principles and management standards of the organic production system.

Livestock and poultry producers spend a great deal of time outdoors in all types of weather. The hours of work are long and at times irregular. Livestock need daily care. Therefore, producers must arrange alternate care before leaving their operations more than briefly.

Automation and mechanization have helped to make the work less tedious and physically demanding. However, heavy labour sometimes is required.

Some livestock and poultry producers own their own operations; others work as farm managers. Many people enter the business as labourers or technicians. They may also enter through membership in a family-owned partnership or company. There are enormous capital and operating costs involved in getting into livestock production. It is good for those without a farm background to learn all aspects of farming operations.

Individuals seeking work on farms should contact a local Human Resources Skills Development Canada office. Farm work may be seasonal or casual. On livestock operations, farm supervisors and machinery operators may be hired year-round.

Experienced producers with formal training may move into related positions. They may become livestock services representatives or agricultural commodity inspectors.

Industry Concentration

This section shows the industries where the majority of people in this occupation work. The data is based on the 2016 Census.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Managers in agriculture
2016 NOC: 0821

95.7% of people in this occupational group work in:

• Agriculture

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

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3-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the Alberta job market condition, or short-term demand forecast, for this occupation over a 3-year period. It also shows the number of people employed in the occupation.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2021 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Managers in agriculture

2021 NOC: 80020

Cool

Job Market

18,800

Employed in AB

Source: 2024-2026 Alberta Short-Term Employment Forecast

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

To see data for all occupations, visit Occupations in Demand.

5-Year Job Market Forecast

This section shows the employment outlook for this occupation in Alberta over a 5-year period.

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• Time of year (for seasonal jobs)
• Location in Alberta
• Employment turnover (when people leave existing positions)
• Occupational growth (when new positions are created)
• Size of the occupation
• Trends and events that affect overall employment, especially in the industry or industries from the previous list

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Employment Outlook

Employment outlook is influenced by a wide variety of factors. Learn how these factors can affect your career decisions.

In Alberta, this occupation is part of 1 or more 2016 National Occupational Classification (NOC) groups.

Managers in agriculture

2016 NOC: 0821

3.1%

Annual Growth
(Above average)

778

New Positions

Source: 2021-2025 Alberta Regional Occupational Demand Outlook

Annual growth is from 2021 to 2025. New positions created each year are in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

NOC groups often include several related occupations. Although there is labour market data for the larger NOC group, this occupation makes up only a part of that group. It means data for this occupation may be different than the data shown. For examples, see Note.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Beef Producers website: www.albertabeef.org

Alberta Chicken Producers (ACP) website: www.chicken.ab.ca

Alberta Pork website: www.albertapork.com

Alberta Turkey Producers (ATP) website: albertaturkey.com

Beef is Your Future website: beefcareers.weebly.com

Canadian Cattlemen’s Association (CCA) website: www.cattle.ca

Egg Farmers of Alberta (EFA) website: eggs.ab.ca

Get information and referrals about career, education, and employment options from Alberta Supports.