Work with Farm Animals or on a Farm

What counts as farm animal work?

Farm animals in the UK cover a broad range of species. Cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, chickens, ducks and geese remain the most common. Dairy herds and beef cattle are widespread across the country, as are sheep in upland and lowland areas alike.

Modern farms may also keep less traditional livestock. Llamas and alpacas are increasingly found on smallholdings, often kept for their fibre or as companion animals for other stock. Some farms specialise in deer, bison or ostriches. The definition of farm animal has widened considerably since the late 20th century.

Working with these animals can involve feeding, health checks, breeding management, moving stock between fields or buildings, and welfare monitoring. Depending on the farm type, you might also be involved in milking, shearing, egg collection or preparing animals for sale.

The work is physical and often unpredictable. Early mornings are standard, and the hours often are longer during busy periods such as lambing in late winter and early spring. Weather does not wait for convenience. Cold, wet conditions and muddy yards are part of the reality, alongside the quieter moments with animals in open countryside.

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Types of farm work available

Farm work is not limited to one role. There are several ways to build a career around livestock, depending on your interests and circumstances.

• General farm worker: hands-on daily care of animals, maintenance of buildings and fencing, operating machinery, and assisting with seasonal tasks.
• Stockperson or herdsperson: a more focused role looking after a specific type of animal, such as dairy cows or a pig unit. This often involves closer monitoring of health and breeding records.
• Farm manager: overseeing the whole operation, including staff, budgets, compliance with regulations and long-term planning. This usually requires experience or formal qualifications in agriculture.
• Relief or contract worker: covering for permanent staff during holidays, illness or busy seasons. This can suit people who prefer varied work across different farms.
• Specialist roles: artificial insemination technicians, shearers, foot trimmers and livestock transporters all work closely with farm animals without being tied to a single farm.

Some people combine farm animal work with other agricultural tasks, such as arable farming or machinery operation. Others focus entirely on livestock. Technology now plays a growing role, with many farms using electronic tagging, herd management software and automated feeding systems.

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Getting started without a farming background

Many people working with farm animals grew up in farming families. For those who did not, there are practical routes into the sector.

Agricultural colleges across the UK offer courses ranging from introductory certificates to degrees in animal science or farm management. Institutions such as Harper Adams University, SRUC in Scotland, and various land-based colleges provide both full-time and part-time study options. These courses usually include practical placements on working farms.

Apprenticeships are another option. Livestock apprenticeships combine paid work with structured training, though specific titles and frameworks vary by region. You can search for current opportunities through the National Careers Service or the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Volunteering or seasonal work can provide a useful starting point if you have no experience. Lambing season is a busy time when many farms take on temporary helpers. This gives you a chance to learn basic skills and see whether the work suits you.

Organisations such as LANTRA, the sector skills body for land-based industries, offer short courses in areas like safe livestock handling, animal health and tractor operation. These can strengthen your applications if you are competing against more experienced candidates.

Practical considerations

Pay in farm work varies widely. Rates depend on the role, location, farm size and your level of responsibility. Agricultural wages may be set through different channels than standard minimum wages, and in Wales the Agricultural Wages Board still sets specific rates. For current information, check GOV.UK.

Some positions come with accommodation, particularly on remote farms or for live-in roles. This can offset lower wages but may limit your flexibility.

Physical fitness matters. Lifting, bending, walking on uneven ground and working in all weather conditions are routine. Observational skills are valuable, since spotting early signs of illness or distress in animals is part of everyday work.

Regulations around animal welfare, food safety and farm assurance schemes mean record-keeping is part of most roles. Familiarity with schemes like Red Tractor or RSPCA Assured can be useful, depending on the farm.

If you are weighing up your options in the animal sector, consider shadowing farmers, speaking with professionals already in the field, or trying short-term seasonal work before committing. Farm work suits people who are practical, adaptable and comfortable with routine physical labour in outdoor conditions.

The Next Step

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our Animal Career Finder lets you answer a few questions about your interests, experience, and qualifications and find out which animal careers suit you best. From veterinary nursing to dog grooming, wildlife conservation to zoo keeping. Try it now →