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General Farm Workers  (NOC 8431)
Kitchener--Waterloo--Barrie Region
Description |  Titles |  Duties |   Related Occupations

General farm workers plant, cultivate and harvest crops, raise livestock and poultry and maintain and repair farm equipment and buildings. This group includes operators of farm machinery. General farm workers are employed on crop, livestock, fruit, vegetable and specialty farms.

beef cattle farm worker, cattle ranch labourer, dairy farm worker, farm machinery operator, general farm worker, grain farm worker, harvester machine operator, hatchery worker, poultry farm worker, vegetable farm worker.

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General farm workers perform some or all of the following duties:
  • Plant, fertilize, cultivate, spray, irrigate and harvest crops
  • Feed and tend livestock and poultry
  • Milk cows
  • Operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment
  • Detect disease and health problems in crops, livestock and poultry
  • Examine produce for quality and prepare for market
  • Set and monitor water lines, air flow and temperature in barns, pens and chicken coops
  • Clean stables, barns, barnyards and pens.

General farm workers can become specialized in a particular type of crop or livestock production through experience.

Included Cities in Region | Service Canada Offices

Barrie, Cambridge, Guelph, Kitchener, Orillia, Waterloo, Bradford West Gwillimbury, Collingwood, Innisfil, Midland, New Hamburg, New Tecumseth, Orangeville, Penetanguishene, Port McNicoll, Shelburne, Alliston, Ayr, Beeton, Buena Vista Park, Cardwell, Cookstown, Cumberland Beach, Elmira, Elmvale, Purple Hill, Rockcut, Rockwood, Starrview Acres, St. Jacobs, Tottenham

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View a list of Service Canada offices in this area.

Outlook & Prospects for General Farm Workers in Kitchener--Waterloo--Barrie Region

The future forecast and current conditions for an occupation can vary based on location or due to changes in the economy, technology, or demand for a product or service.

Local Employment Potential Information

Table on the employment potential for General Farm Workers in Kitchener--Waterloo--Barrie Region as well as in the rest of the Ontario.
Location Employment Potential Release Date
Kitchener--Waterloo--Barrie Region Fair 2011-05-24

Employment prospects for general farm workers in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie area are expected to be fair over the next few years. The number of people working in this occupational group has decreased by more than 10% during the last intercensal period. However, job openings are available to those interested in agricultural work. Farmers typically find it difficult to fill positions with domestic workers and temporary foreign workers are brought in when qualified Canadians or permanent residents are unavaliable. Information on the federally administered Caribbean and Mexican Seasonal Agricultural Workers Program can be found through Foreign Agricultural Resource Management Services (FARMS) at http://www.farmsontario.ca/

Beef and pig farmers, in particular, are reporting poor market conditions due to increasing competition from low-priced imports, a high Canadian dollar and raising input costs. This has had a detrimental effect on the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie region due to the large number of livestock farms in the area.

This occupation has a younger age profile than for all occupations in the Kitchener-Waterloo-Barrie region. At the same time, it has a larger than average number of workers over the age of 50 years. The younger age is due to the low skill level required for entry level workers, while the older component is a result of the aging of the individual who is owner/operator of his/her own farm. Increasing productivity, whether the result of improved farming methods or further mechanization, will reduce the need for farm labour in the long-run as will the consolidation of family farms into larger agricultural operations.

[ Source: Labour Market Information - HRSDC ]
Please consult the Ontario and Canada tabs for more useful information related to outlook.