A finishing stockperson helps the farm manager raise the pigs, protecting their health and welfare.
Also known as pig stockperson, pig stock keeper, pig stocksperson, livestock keeper, assistant livestock keeper, or pig technician (finishing 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 high welfare standards. As a finishing 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 will help with feeding, cleaning out, bedding, and the careful handling of pigs.
You will also make sure pigs are able to move freely, have a constant supply of fresh water, and receive the correct amount of feed. If the pigs are kept indoors, you will ensure their housing is well-ventilated to help them stay healthy. 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 like feed and weighing equipment and drive farm machinery.
It is essential that pigs are the right weight and condition for good animal welfare and to meet food chain standards.
As a finishing stockperson, you’ll report to the pig unit manager, farm manager, or owner.
You may need to have your own transport to get to work.
As a finishing stockperson your responsibilities might include:
To work as a finishing stockperson in the pig sector, you should:
As a trainee finishing stockperson, you don’t always need a formal qualification. However, you must have a keen interest in livestock and agriculture and be keen 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 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.
It’s also helpful to have a basic knowledge of pig diseases and health issues and how to help prevent them.
As a finishing stockperson, you will have the following competencies to meet animal welfare standards and achieve production targets. You will:
The salary for a finishing stockperson in the pig sector is in the region of £24,000 to £30,000 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 finishing 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 finishing stockperson, you’ll have lots of opportunities to progress your career once you’ve built skills and experience.
If you’re keen to develop, you can eventually move on to a management-level role, such as unit manager, fieldsperson, or farm manager and earn a higher salary.
You could consider an assistant farm manager apprenticeship, which involves learning about business and management skills alongside more practical farming skills.
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/
For more information on career inspiration and lots of varied job profiles visit The Institute for Agriculture and Horticulture’s website
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