Finishing stockperson (pigs)

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. 

• 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 

• 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  

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.

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.

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.

Level 1 Diploma Land-based Studies Agriculture  

Level 2 Technical Certificate in Agriculture  

Level 3 Advanced Technical Certificate in Agriculture  

Apprenticeships  

General Farm Worker Level 2 

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.