Finishing stockperson (pigs)
The Learning Hub will be closed for maintenance from 5am until 2pm on 5 November. For information, email: [email protected].
Finishing stockperson (pigs)
Finishing stockperson (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:
- Meeting the health and welfare needs of all livestock with correct feeding, watering, housing/shelter, handling, and general husbandry
- Providing a clean and safe environment for livestock. This is important to help prevent disease, illness, and injury
- Giving medications and vaccinations safely and effectively, once appropriately trained/under supervision
- Operating and maintaining machinery for tasks such as bedding down and feeding
- Following relevant legislation and health and safety guidelines
To work as a finishing stockperson in the pig sector, you should:
- Be able to spot and report problems
- Be able to understand guidance and act on it
- Enjoy being hands-on with animals
- Enjoy working in a team but also be able to work on your own initiative
- Be able to communicate and listen well to others
- Be highly motivated and keen to develop skills and knowledge
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:
- Follow correct procedures to ensure good welfare, biosecurity, and environmental practice
- Follow farm protocols to meet animal hygiene standards to prevent the risk of disease and injury
- Successfully help care for and manage pigs
- Monitor and handle pigs calmly and confidently
- Feed pigs correctly and efficiently to achieve growth targets
- Maintain pig accommodation and fields to keep animals secure and meet their needs
- Weigh and record animal weight gain and feed efficiency using the right equipment and terminology
- Administer medications where required
- Make sure that effluent (waste) is managed effectively and in line with legal requirements
- Ensure the relevant health and safety standards are met
Download our Finishing stockperson (pigs) competency profile to find out more about these competencies and how they map with our Capability Framework.
Salaries start at £24,000. However, this will rise depending on your level of experience, the number of animals on farm and location. More experienced team members working on larger farms can expect to earn up to £30,000.
Pay may be hourly in this type of role. Pay may also include production bonuses, accommodation and paid overtime. This makes overall packages of renumeration more attractive than the headline salary. Full- and part-time opportunities are available and weekend working in shift patterns may also be required.
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
TIAH Essential Skills
Our online Essential Skills modules can help you develop your skills and knowledge in a range of areas and are a great addition to your CV.
Anyone considering working as a finishing stockperson in the pig sector would find our Animal Health and Welfare, Biosecurity, and Foundations in Farm Safety courses helpful.
Return to our job profiles page for more exciting roles in farming and growing.