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Other Livestock Farmers includes Alpaca Farmer, Camel Farmer, Crocodile Farmer, Emu Farmer, Llama Farmer, Ostrich Farmer,

 

ANZSCO ID: 121399

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Knowledge of breeds

• Animal care skills

• Patience

• Discipline

• Attention to detail

• Communication skills

• Marketing skills

Crocodile hatching (Source: Hartley's Creek)	Emu Farmers (Source: The Land)
Llama Farmer (Source: ABC News)	Ostrich Famer (Source: Victorian Chamber of Commerce & Industry)

Duties and Tasks

• breeding and raising livestock for the production of meat, milk, eggs, skins, feathers, and wool

• monitoring and maintaining the health and condition of livestock

• providing pastures and fodder to maintain appropriate nutritional levels

• moving livestock to optimise feeding opportunities

• conduct general and minor farm maintenance jobs (e.g. cleaning paddocks, feeding livestock, halter training the young alpacas and cleaning water troughs).

• organising and conducting farming operations such as catching, drenching and milking livestock, sterilising machines, and collecting, grading and packaging produce

• directing and overseeing general farming activities such as maintaining pens, sheds and cages, fertilising, controlling pests and weeds, and growing fodder

• maintaining fences, equipment and water supply systems

• organising the sale, purchase and transportation of livestock and produce

• maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity and planning production accordingly

• managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management

• may select, train and supervise staff and contractors

Education and training/entrance requirements

You usually need livestock farming experience to work as an Other Livestock Farmer. While formal qualifications aren't essential, a Vocational Education and Training (VET) course in agriculture may be useful.

 

 

 

Emerging Job

 

Edible insects are the fastest growing alternative protein market in the world. They are seen by organisations like the CSIRO as an invaluable, sustainable food source in the context of climate change and a ballooning global population.

Far more than just a fad, this emerging food technology represents a massive growth opportunity across a wide range of industries, including farming and agriculture, manufacturing, engineering, food sciences and more.

Insect products provide nutrients in a really accessible way. When we think about eating crickets, we’re not thinking deep fried crickets any longer. We’re thinking about the use of those products as flour or as a meal, ground products, as well as reformed or reconstituted products. You can make pastas, you can make additives for body building supplements. The range is quite incredible.

These insect-based products can also be used as animal feed, for animals that are then utilised for human consumption. Because we’re now starting to get shortages in meat and bone meal and rendered product, and also because the cost of bringing soybean meal and other plant protein meals into the country, we need some way of filling that gap. And that gap is insect protein. Insect protein for aquaculture, poultry and pigs is potentially enormous.

Insects are easy to rear, require minimal space and resources, and have a low environmental impact. This makes them a viable solution for sustainable food production.

(Source: ABC News)

 

ANZSCO ID: 1213

Alternative names: Bug Farmer,

Specialisations: Cricket Farmer, Cricket Breeder, Meal Worm Farmer, Black Soldier Fly Farmer

Knowledge, skills and attributes

 

Fundamental Limitations

While the insect farming market is growing, it also faces some limitations that could hinder its growth in the coming months and years. Here are some fundamental limitations:

• Regulatory and cultural barriers: Despite the growing acceptance of insect-based protein as a sustainable alternative to traditional protein sources, the insect farming market still faces regulatory and cultural barriers. Some consumers may be hesitant to try insect-based products due to cultural taboos or a lack of familiarity with these products.

• Consumer perception: Consumer perception remains a significant challenge for the insect farming market. While insects are an excellent source of protein and nutrients, many consumers may hesitate to consume or feed insects to their pets due to the stigma associated with eating insects. Therefore, the insect farming industry must find ways to educate consumers on the benefits of insect-based protein and address their concerns about safety, taste, and quality.

• Research and development: Another limitation of the insect farming market is the need for further research and development to improve farming practices and scale production. While insects are relatively easy to rear, there are still challenges in optimizing the efficiency and productivity of insect farming. Additionally, more research is needed to explore new markets and applications for insect-based products, such as developing new insect-based ingredients for the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries.
    
  One limitation of using insects in livestock feed is the industry’s acceptance and willingness to adopt this new practice. Traditional livestock feed such as soybean meal, corn, and alfalfa have been the go-to feed sources for many years. Convincing farmers and industry leaders to shift their practices and invest in insect farming may be challenging.

• Scaling the production of insect-based feed to meet the demand of the livestock industry may prove to be a challenge. As demand for insect-based protein increases, producing enough insects to meet the growing demand may become difficult. In addition, insects require specific conditions to thrive, such as temperature, humidity, and light, which can be costly and difficult to maintain on a large scale.
  

 

 

Environmental Footprint of Crickets and Mealworms compared to conventional farmed animals
Large Copy of this graph
Local Copy of full PDF
(Source: CSIRO - PDF)

 

What do you think about this graph?

 

 

 

 

Employment Opportunities

 

First Nations Peoples and Edible Insects

Edible insects have been a traditional food source for First Nations Peoples of Australia for thousands of years. Over 60 different insect species have been recorded as being eaten by First Nations Peoples, including witjuti (witchetty) grubs, bogong moths, honeypot ants, and green tree ants.

First Nations Peoples are playing an important role in the development of the edible insect industry in Australia. They are sharing their traditional knowledge about insects with businesses, and they are also working to ensure that the industry is sustainable and respectful of the environment.

 

Resources

1. CSIRO - Roadmap for Edible Insects 2021 PDF
Local Copy

 

2. ABC News (Landline) - 16 Deptember 2018

 

 

 

 

3. BTN - 30 July 2024

 

 

 

 

CASE STUDIES

It’s worth noting that most of the insect farming businesses in Australia (10 out of the 14) are actually producing animal feed for industries such as aquaculture, poultry, and pet food.

Most of these insect producers are SMEs or startups, and a handful are more established product manufacturers.

 

 

1. Schubugs - Producer of Crickets

Schubugs is the largest cricket farm in South Australia. Currently selling crickets for pet feed and aims to sell for human consumption in the future.

CEO is Zachery Schubert - Australian Olympian [Beach Volleyball - 2024]. The Adelaide athlete came up with the idea for Schubugs Cricket Farm as it combines his family background in farming with his qualifications in nutrition.

"You don't get many people starting cricket farms," he admitted.

He reckons a shipping container holds a million crickets - and he has eight of them.

See his story here:

 

ABC News - 14 September 2019

 

 

 

2. Circle Harvest

Circle Harvest (formerly Edible Bug Shop) was established in 2007 by Skye Blackburn [Entomologist] (Sydney, New South Wales) and is Australia’s first insect farm for human consumption. The company farms and processes insects and creates edible insect products sold online and through commercial supermarkets, including Macro Cricket Powder available at Woolworths supermarkets.

Skye and Circle Harvest are active in educating the general public on the benefits of insects as food through school visits, cooking demonstrations and media appearances.

Products sold: cricket (Acheta domesticus) corn chips, roasted crickets and mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), cricket and mealworm chocolates, cricket protein powder, cricket pasta, cricket dukka, granola with cricket powder, and ant (Iridomyrmex rufoniger) candy.

 

3. Goterra

Olympia Yarger, founder of the Insect Protein Association of Australia and agritech start-up Goterra, which uses maggots to process food waste and reduce greenhouse gases.

 

Goterra is the first Australian company to employ automated insect farming to address waste management. By developing an automated and scalable system of modular insect farms, the company can process waste quickly and close to where it is being produced, therefore reducing transportation costs.

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae are used to upcycle waste streams into high protein commercial animal stock feed (insect powder for non-ruminant farm animals) and high-quality soil conditioner (frass). In addition, Goterra is partnering with researchers to develop new
methods of reducing plastic waste using black soldier flies.

 

Goterra: Waste Management Infrastructure for the World
https://youtu.be/c76vkyBpckM?si=i8wELW1fw6c4d3_t
 

 

 

 

4. Something Wild Australia

Something Wild Australia was established in 2016 by the Motlop family of the Larrakia People, and is one of the first national Traditionally owned business supplying native plants and meats to restaurants and consumers around Australia, including lemon myrtle, wattleseed, kakadu plum and green tree ants (Oecophylla smaragdina).

As the general manager and part-owner, Daniel Motlop and his team fosters positive working relationships by employing First Nations harvesters and staff.

Products sold: Something Wild collaborated with Adelaide Hills Distillery to create an award winning Australian gin infused with green tree ants wild harvested from the Northern Territory and other traditionally eaten plants like finger lime, lemon myrtle and native juniper (Boobialla).

 

The Conversation 29 April 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overseers often work in the agricultural industry managing farms and livestock stations, but may also work in construction, manufacturing, conservation, and logistics and distribution. They provide directions, guidance and feedback and ensure work is carried out safely and efficiently.

 

ANZSCO ID: 3632
   
Alternative names: Head Stockperson, Assistant Station Manager,

Knowledge, skills and attributes

• Strong livestock skills, both breeding and feeding

• An interest in breeding genetics improvement.

• Minimum two years experience including a solid base of hands-on knowledge of large, successful livestock enterprises.

• High-level staff engagement, communication, and interpersonal relationship skills.

• Ability to work closely with management to set and implement plans and strategies for production

• Strong leadership and people management skills.

• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

• Commitment to developing a culture of safety and productivity.

• Ability to operate a range of farm machinery and equipment

• Current drivers' licence, desirable MR package

• Skills in welding, fencing, basic mechanical work, record-keeping, and electronic monitoring of cattle.

• Maintenance and installation of solar pumps and windmill repairs.

• An interest in, and knowledge of livestock nutrition and feeding.

• Mustering via buggies and helicopters (horses will be used for livestock monitoring and weaning).
  

Overseers need some computer skills and are confident leading and motivating others.

(Source: Sheep Central)

 

Duties and Tasks

• Assisting in the day-to-day management of a farm.

• Ensuring safe operation of workplaces, equipment and processes.

• Supervising daily operations and providing instructions, guidance and feedback.

• Planning work schedules and rosters.

• Allocating resources required for daily tasks and processes.

• Hiring, training and supervising staff.

• Reporting to managers and owners.

• Ensuring deadlines are met.

Working conditions

Overseers working on farms or with livestock are often required to relocate to a property and may be required to operate machinery.

The Head Stockperson will work closely with business owners and senior managers for the development and delivery of the livestock program. You will be required to provide mentoring and training to staff and be responsible for timely service and maintenance of station plant and equipment, waters, and fences. You will have the ability to keep accurate records and understand the necessity to work effectively with various team members.

Farm work is very practical and usually outdoors. Depending on the season and activity the
hours can be irregular and long.

 Meat processors employ stockmen to work in their yards and on associated properties.

 Stockmen often need to provide their own horses and working dogs

Tools and technologies

Be able to ride a motorbike and also a horse.

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as an Overseer without a formal qualification, but relevant experience is essential. A vocational education and training (VET) qualification may be preferred by some employers. Industry-specific licences and registrations may be required to perform some job activities.

Get experience in an entry-level role in agriculture or another production-based industry.
Develop your computer literacy and experience using administrative software such as MS Office.
Consider completing a relevant qualification. If you’re interested in working on a farm or with livestock, a Certificate IV in Agriculture (AHC40116) or Diploma of Agriculture (AHC50116) can provide you with relevant skills and knowledge. These courses typically take one year to complete. Similar qualifications are available for other industries.
Consider completing a university degree, such as a Bachelor of Agriculture. This usually takes three years of full-time study and provides broader career options in agriculture and its supporting industries.

 

Career Path	Training Requirements
Stockman /Ringer You work with some supervision on your own or in a team and can make some decisions when working with livestock	Certificate 3 in Agriculture
Head Stockman /Person You make decisions about how the livestock work will be done, organise and supervise other workers and report to the farm owner or manager	Certificate 4 in Agriculture

 

 

 

 

Livestock Farm Workers perform routine tasks in livestock, egg and wool production.

 

ANZSCO ID: 8415

Alternative names: Farm Hand, Assistant Stockperson,

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes

Employers look for Livestock Farm Workers who are trustworthy, responsible and have an enthusiastic attitude.

• Strength and Stamina: The majority of farm hands spend a great deal of their professional lives handling physically demanding tasks that require high levels of physical fitness. Agricultural workers are frequently required to lift heavy loads, such as bales of hay. They spend most of their working days on their feet, and much of their time working with their hands fixing fences, digging ditches, tending to animals and repairing machinery. Some are charged with handling large farm animals, which can also be very strenuous.

• Manual Dexterity and Technical Skills: An ability to use machinery safely for long periods of time is a must for a good farm hand. Farm workers need to know, or have the capacity to learn, how to use machines such as tractors. Making a mistake while handling this kind machinery could result in serious injury or even death. Good eye-hand coordination is also beneficial to farm workers.

• Listening Skills: Livestock Farm workers need to work well with others and take detailed instructions from farmers and other agricultural managers. As such, effective listening skills are vital to success in farm hand careers. Failing to carry out instructions from farmers or other agricultural managers can result in the loss of livestock and, ultimately, farm income.

• Knowledge of Farming Best Practices: An all-round knowledge of farming best practices will make a farm hand more attractive to potential employers. This includes not only knowing how to operate machinery, but also learning and mastering the proper way to feed animals, judge weather patterns, and identify potential threats to animals. Good farm hands will want to stay abreast of new technologies and techniques by attending workshops hosted by local agricultural extension programs. Gigworker indicates that some farmers send farm hands to training courses to learn how to safely operate machinery, for example.

 

(Source: Your Career)

 

Duties and Tasks

• patrolling, inspecting and reporting on the condition of livestock

• providing livestock with feed and water

• assisting with maintaining the health and welfare of livestock

• mustering and droving livestock to milking and shearing sheds and between paddocks to ensure sufficient feed is available

• washing and cleaning udders, and attaching milking machines to udders and milking cows

• collecting eggs and placing in incubators

• herding sheep for shearing and keeping mobs separate during shearing

• spreading fleeces on skirting tables for classing, pressing wool and branding bales

• exercising horses by walking, riding, leading and swimming, and attending to horses at track work, barrier trials and races

• cleaning stables and hatcheries, storing bedding and performing minor repairs on fixtures, buildings and fences

• assembling, preparing and storing horse gear

 

Education and training/entrance requirements

You can work as a Livestock Farm Worker without formal qualifications, however, they may be useful. A course in agriculture might be helpful.

 

 

 

Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
(Jobs not linked are currently being worked on)

Animal Attendant Trainer	Beekeeper	Biosecurity Officer	Dog Breeder
Domestic Animal Scientist	Farmer	Farrier	Feedlot Manager
Horse Breeder	Horse Groomer	Jillaroo/Jackeroo	Livestock Transport  Driver
Sheep Farmer	Pig Farmer	Poultry Farmer	Primary Products Inspector
Rat Farmer	Shearer	Veterinarian	Wool Classer
Zookeeper

 

 

Materials sourced from
Open Universities Australia,
Britannica;
Labour Market Insights [ Livestock Farm Worker; ]
Work.Chron [Good Farm Hand; ]
Acacia [Other Livestock Farmer; ]
Seek [Overseer; ]
Transremote [Assistant Station Manager Head Stockperson; ]
DroverAg [Head Stockperson - expired; ]
Woolwise [Farming Stockman; PDF; ]
Insect Protein Association of Australia
Bayside Group [Edible Insects; ]
I Grow News [Insect Farming; ]
Your Career [Livestock Farmer; Mixed Livestock Farmer; Other Livestock Farmer; Dairy Cattle Farmer; Goat Farmer; Beef Cattle Farmer; Deer Farmer; Mixed Crop & Livestock Farmer; Livestock Farm Worker;]