82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors

Lead statement

Agricultural service contractors provide agricultural services such as livestock and poultry breeding, soil preparation, crop planting, crop spraying, cultivating or harvesting.

Main duties

• Agricultural service contractors
• Provide agricultural livestock services such as artificial insemination, spraying or shearing of livestock or disinfecting pens, barns or poultry houses
• Provide agricultural crop services such as plowing, irrigating, cultivating, spraying or harvesting
• Assist in the development and implementation of farm safety and bio-security procedures
• Hire and train workers
• Negotiate the terms of services to be provided
• Maintain financial and operational records
• May participate in the provision of services or in the operation of machinery and equipment
• May operate and repair digital technology and communication tools and equipment, such as robotic milking systems and global positioning systems (GPS).
• Farm supervisors
• Coordinate, assign and supervise the work of specialized livestock workers, farm machinery operators, livestock labourers and harvesting labourers
• Supervise and oversee breeding and other livestock-related programs
• Supervise, monitor and enforce procedures to maintain animal and crop health and welfare
• Supervise and oversee growing and other crop-related operations
• Supervise maintenance of infrastructure, equipment, and supplies
• Develop work schedules and establish procedures
• Ensure farm safety, food safety and security and bio-security procedures are followed
• Maintain quality control and production records
• May perform general farm duties

Employment requirements

• Agricultural service contractors usually require a university degree, college diploma or industry courses in agricultural studies and several years of experience related to the service offered.
• Contractors providing certain services, such as artificial insemination and pesticide application, may require training certificates and provincial licensing.
• A course or certificate in first aid may be required.
• Farm supervisors may require a college certificate or other specialized training in agriculture or livestock husbandry.

Example job titles

contractor - agricultural service · crop dusting service contractor · farm irrigating system contractor · livestock exchange contractor · crop harvesting service contractor · milking services contractor · planting and cultivation contractor · farm supervisor · vineyard foreman/woman · pasture-managing supervisor · livestock foreman/woman · animal farm foreman/woman · agriculture foreman/woman · tobacco farm foreman/woman

Wages (per hour)

Source: Job Bank wages, 2025 release (ESDC). Low and high are the 10th and 90th percentiles.