An assistant stockperson helps the farm management team meet animal health and welfare standards and supports good environmental practices.
Also known as assistant stock keeper, stockman, livestock assistant, or general farm worker.
This profile highlights the skills and knowledge associated with the role. However, jobs will have varying responsibilities depending on level of the role and the size or type of the business.
Farm animals are either reared for meat or milk production. As an assistant stockperson or a livestock general farm worker, you will carry out various farm tasks.
Farm animals are usually referred to on farms as ‘livestock’ or ‘stock.’ As an assistant stockperson, you would help meet farm animals’ health and welfare needs. This includes feeding them the correct food, helping to manage grazing pastures where appropriate, and ensuring they have fresh water. You’ll also provide clean bedding and maintain fences if animals are kept outside.
Monitoring animals to keep them in good condition and growing well is essential. You’ll also check the animals daily to spot any issues that could become health or welfare problems.
As an assistant stockperson, you’ll help keep housing clean and safe. This helps prevent animals from becoming sick or injured. You’ll be responsible for reporting any issues to your manager should you spot any.
You may also operate and maintain farm equipment and machinery, such as tractors and loaders. If working with dairy cows, you may also get involved with milking the animals.
The role provides the opportunity to learn about new technologies that positively impact animal health, welfare, production, and the environment.
You will report to the assistant farm manager, farm manager, or farm owner.
Full-time, part-time, and casual opportunities are available in the industry.
You may need to have your own transport to get to work.
As an assistant stockperson, you will take responsibility for the welfare and production of animals by:
To work as an assistant stockperson, you should:
To become an assistant stockperson, you don’t necessarily need a formal qualification. However, you may choose to study for a formal qualification or start an apprenticeship to help you gain some understanding and knowledge of farming and livestock. Take a look at the qualifications and training or apprenticeships sections below for more information.
You can also gain experience by volunteering on a farm or smallholding.
If you live in a city or urban area, you could volunteer on a local city farm, community garden, or allotment. You can find some of these in your area on the Social Farms and Gardens website.
You can also develop your knowledge and understanding of the industry by reading farming newspapers, magazines, and websites.
It’s also helpful to have a basic knowledge of livestock diseases and health issues and how to help prevent them.
As an assistant stocksperson, you’ll have the following competencies to meet animal health and welfare standards and environmental responsibilities. You will:
The salary for an assistant stockperson is in the region of £24,000 to £35,000 per year.
This figure is for a full-time permanent position for workers over 21 years of age, depending on level of experience, business type and location. Workers below 21 years of age can be paid a lower hourly rate.
This role though is often advertised as casual, self-employed, part-time or hourly with a salary that is reflective of the full-time rate of pay.
As an assistant stockperson you may, in some instances, be paid for travel time and receive support in travelling to your place of work.
Within the agriculture and horticulture sectors there are often many associated benefits that are not reflected in the headline salary. These include accommodation being provided or subsidised, travel pay, profit shares, vehicle use and production bonuses.
As an assistant stockperson, you may choose to develop your career further by becoming a more experienced stockperson or supervisor. You could also eventually become a manager.
To do this, you will need to gain experience across all aspects of being an assistant stockperson. If you’re keen to become an assistant manager, you should be willing to take on responsibility and help less experienced staff members.
Courses which can help you on this career path include:
Level 1 Diploma Land-based Studies Agriculture
Level 2 Technical Certificate in Agriculture
Level 3 Advanced Technical Certificate in Agriculture
Apprenticeships
Livestock Unit Technician Level 3
Employers and recruiters who hire for this role include:
The employers and recruiters listed below hire for roles like this one. If you would like your business to be listed here, please click the button underneath the logos shown here.
https://www.4xtrahands.com/jobs
https://www.agrirs.co.uk/work-for-us
https://careers.cotteswold-dairy.co.uk/vacancies/vacancy-search-results.aspx
https://everestps.co.uk/milk-dairy/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1494447200599804
https://www.lklservices.co.uk/
https://careers.themodernmilkman.co.uk/
https://nationalsheep.org.uk/next-generation/jobs-work-experience/online-application/
For more information on career inspiration and lots of varied job profiles visit The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture’s website
Promoting food, farming and countryside education in Norfolk 🚜🐑
💚 A huge thank you to @benburgessag and all their fantastic staff for supporting our...
🍎🥕 What a fantastic time we had at @theaylshamshow ! 🌱
We loved welcoming visitors...
🥕 Come and visit us at the Aylsham Show this Bank Holiday Monday!🍓
This year’s...
🎉 A Levels Results Day! 🎉
A huge congratulations to everyone receiving their results today!...
What a fantastic day at our 2nd Exploring Food & Farming event of 2026 🚜...
Did you see us at Wayland Show on Sunday? 🐑✨
We had a wonderful day...
Happy Norfolk Day! 🌾💛
From fields and thriving farms to fresh local produce and the...
Our women in farming project carries on with the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Associations community cube...
🌱✨ Throwback Thursday ✨🌱
Today we're looking back at some fantastic memories from our school...
🚜 Are you passionate about innovation in agriculture, food production, sustainability, engineering, technology, or rural...
🌾 Come and see us at the Wayland Agricultural Show on Sunday, 2nd August!
The...
🚜🌾Applications are still open for our FREE Exploring Food & Farming Day on Wednesday 5th...
What an incredible @royalnorfolkshow we had last week! 🌾🎉
The Food & Farming Discovery Trust...
We're at @groundswell_agriculture for the next two days! 📸🌾
Come and visit our Women in...
☀️ Hot weather is forecast for this year's Royal Norfolk Show. Here is some useful...
📸🌾 Celebrate Women in Agriculture at the @RoyalNorfolkShow 🌾📸
As 2026 marks the International Year...
🌾🎉 The countdown is on!
Next week, we’re delighted to welcome more than 15,000 school...
