84120

Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators

TEER 4 — High-school diploma or several weeks of training

Express Entry skill level: No
Regulated in Québec: No
In demand in Manitoba: No

Classification

Natural resources & agriculture

8 › 84 › 841 › 8412

Definition

Specialized livestock workers carry out feeding, health and breeding programs on dairy, beef, sheep, poultry, swine and other livestock farms. Farm machinery operators operate and maintain farm machinery and equipment. They are employed on crop, livestock, fruit, vegetable and specialty farms.

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:
Specialized livestock workers
Perform or assist in performing animal husbandry activities
Implement pasture or pen breeding programs
Develop and implement feeding programs
Follow safety and bio-security procedures
Detect and treat certain diseases and health problems in livestock
Maintain livestock performance records
Select livestock for sale
Set and monitor water lines, air flow and temperature in barns, pens and chicken coops
Train horses
Maintain inventory and order materials as required
May be responsible for the collection of semen and the insemination of donor females
May supervise general farm labourers.
Farm machinery operators
Operate farm equipment and machinery to till soil, plant, cultivate and harvest crops, and load and unload crops or containers of materials
Perform equipment and machinery maintenance
Monitor equipment and machinery operations to detect malfunctions
Follow safety procedures
May perform minor repairs to farm equipment and machinery.

Example job titles

•artificial inseminator
•cattle herdsperson
•dairy herdsperson
•farm machinery operator
•harvester machine operator
•horse trainer
•pork production technician
•swine herdsperson

Overview

NOC 84120 classifies specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators who perform essential duties on Canadian farms, including crop, livestock, poultry, mixed, and specialized agricultural operations. Under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 system, individuals in this unit group operate and maintain complex agricultural equipment or conduct specialized animal husbandry tasks such as artificial insemination, milking, shearing, and herd health monitoring. Common job titles include swine herdsperson, farm machinery operator, sheep shearer, and artificial insemination technician.

To qualify for employment under NOC 84120, candidates typically require a combination of practical experience on a farm and, for specialized roles, vocational training or certificates (such as in artificial insemination). From an immigration perspective, this TEER 4 occupation is highly relevant for targeted Canadian economic pathways. Candidates may find pathways to permanent residency through the Agri-Food Pilot, various Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) with dedicated agricultural streams, or the Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP), provided they meet specific program criteria and job offer requirements.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional immigration advice. For official, up-to-date guidance on Canadian immigration requirements, please refer to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Educational overview summarizing this occupation. Always confirm against the official NOC profile and IRCC before relying on it.

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Occupation data: Statistics Canada / ESDC — National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021.