A breeding stockperson usually supports the farm team in serving (breeding), farrowing (birthing), and weaning of pigs that are to be reared for meat or breeding.
Also known as pig stockperson, pig stock keeper, livestock keeper, pig farm worker (breeding), assistant livestock keeper, or pig technician (breeding pigs).
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.
UK farmers work to extremely high welfare standards. As a breeding stockperson, you will take care of pigs of various ages and must be able to spot any problems relating to animal health, welfare, or biosecurity.
You’ll be responsible for feeding, cleaning out, bedding, handling, and maintaining the welfare of pigs.
You’ll also make sure pigs can move freely, have a constant supply of fresh water, and are safe. If the pigs are kept indoors, you’ll ensure their housing is well ventilated to help them stay healthy. If kept outdoors, you will maintain their environment to protect them from the elements, make sure they are fenced appropriately, and have access to water. The career progression routes and level of automation are quite different between indoor and outdoor pigs, with more technology and automation being present in the care of pigs reared indoors.
You may also be required to safely operate machinery, such as feed and weighing equipment, drive farm machinery, and administer some veterinary treatments – once appropriately trained/under supervision.
It’s especially important that pigs are the right weight and condition for good animal welfare and to meet customer standards.
As a breeding stockperson, you will report to the pig unit manager, farm manager, or owner. You should also be able to record necessary information on IT systems for monitoring and reporting.
You may need to have your own transport to get to work, but many of these roles come with other benefits such as on-site accommodation.
As a breeding stockperson your responsibilities may include:
To work as a breeding stockperson in the pig sector, you should:
As a breeding stockperson, you don’t always need a formal qualification. However, you must have a keen interest in pigs and agriculture and be eager to learn.
You can also gain experience by volunteering on a farm or smallholding.
If you live in a city or urban area, you could volunteer at a local city farm, community garden, or allotment. You can find some of these in your area on t he Social Farms and Gardens website.
It’s also helpful to have a basic knowledge of pig diseases and health issues and how to help prevent them. You can find information from respected sources such like the National Animal Disease Information Service (NADIS).
As a breeding stockperson, you will work to high animal welfare standards and achieve production targets set by the farm. You will:
The salary for a breeding stockperson in the pig sector is in the region of £24,000 to £38,000 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 a breeding stockperson in the pig sector 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 a breeding stockperson, you’ll have lots of opportunities to progress your career once you’ve built skills and experience.
If you are keen to progress your career in the industry, you could initially develop your skills and knowledge to become a senior stocksperson taking on responsibility for the more technical aspects of pig production such as administering medication (including vaccinations) and getting involved in the artificial insemination process.
With further training and experience you could even move on to a management-level role, such as unit manager, fieldsperson or farm manager.
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://cranswick.plc.uk/careers/vacancies
https://www.jsr.co.uk/careers/
https://pilgrimseurope.current-vacancies.com/Recruitment/Index
https://www.roadhogsrecruit.co.uk/
https://waylandfarms.co.uk/careers-at-wayland-farms/
https://woldfarms.co.uk/careers/
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 🚜🐑
🌱 The Food Security Conference is back! 🌾
Calling Norfolk sixth forms and post-16 colleges!...
🌱 Back British Farming Day 🚜
Today we’re celebrating the farmers and food producers who...
💚 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...
