Hog farming is an essential category of livestock farming in Canada. It not only constitutes part of the diet but is also a huge Forex earner as Canadian Hog export is on the rise. Although there is a reduction in the amount of meat Canadians consume, when combined with the desire to export, one can see a booming animal husbandry sector.
Ensuring that the population has sufficient protein supply and even produces much more for export is of critical interest to the Canadian government. While most Hog farms are run by private individuals in the country, on several occasions, workers are lacking.
The lack of workers impacts several other sectors in North American countries. For this reason, Hog farms in Ontario are making the job more attractive by increasing incentives. It is in the best interests of the farmers, the country, and the society that workers are available in these farms.
This is evident in the reality that while there’s a reduction in pork consumption in 2023, the pork price rose by 1%. That extra goes to the Hog farm attendant (farmers). If you have a double mind in giving the hog farm career a try, maybe knowing that hog farmers are earning huge can be a motivation.
It seems like a win-win situation for all. The society gets more pork, the farmers get extra hands hence more hogs and the country accomplishes food security as well as having more for export. This simple narrative is why working in Canadian Hog farms is lucrative.
Eligibility Criteria or Requirements for Employment
Individuals aspiring to work as Hog farmers are expected to possess some qualities and in some cases, qualifications. Below are some essential qualities of a potential hog farmer:
- Experience: You are more likely to secure employment in Ontario Hog farms if you have had experience working in either a hog farm or other livestock sectors.
- Basics knowledge of pig behavior: Pigs are unique animals whether wild or domesticated. Their behavior, feeding mechanism, and needs have to be understood by potential hog farmers.
- Have a passion for animals: Caring for animals is another dimension of humanity and individuals who desire to work in hog farms must have no record of animal cruelty.
- Have at least basic knowledge of pig healthcare: All animals are unique in the kind of ailments and environmental conditions that may impact them. Such a potential hog farmer must have at least basic knowledge of how pigs respond to adverse conditions.
- For advanced aspects of hog work then potential employees must possess appropriate qualifications: Some hog farms may employ individuals with advanced education. Employees in such categories include veterinary doctors.
Benefits of Hog Farming (Hog Farm Attendant)
- Considerate pay: Well if you are into hog farming employment specifically for the pay, you must be warned that the pay may not be as high as the top-paying jobs; however, given that it doesn’t require any special qualifications to be a successful hog farmer or hog farm attendants, this pay is considered lucrative. An average hog farm salary is about $17.7 Canadian dollars per hour.
- Accommodation: For individuals who may lack shelter, several hog farms in Ontario include provisional shelters. This can serve as temporary accommodation for workers.
- Insurance: Livestock farming can be delicate. Often farmers want to ensure that risk is shared. Insurance is a surviving tradition in the sector but not just the farm alone needs insurance coverage, workers too are worth safeguarding.
- Experience: Experience gets you employed and gets you going. The more you work the more experience you gather. No two farms are the same. Even swine behavior can be impacted by a lot of factors. A particular pig may exhibit a certain behavior in the morning and be different in the evening. This shows that a new work environment comes with new experience and learning.
- Improved skills: Hog farming requires several approaches and skills. Given the nature of hogs, they thrive in environments unlike most other livestock. The ability to maneuver oneself while attending to the hogs is an entire skill on its own not to mention the special care that must be taken while storing or exposing hog wastes to avoid environmental impacts.
- Timing flexibility: Hog farms may not always have strict timing regulations. Hog farm attendants must discover the right time for things to be done. Feeding the hogs at the right time buys attendants more time and so is cleaning the environment at the right time. In a hog farm attendant job, any duty you perform at the right time buys you extra time.
- Less control: Working on farms has some level of freedom about it. It is unlike working in other establishments where attending to people is the priority. Hogs are more predictable than people and less demanding. Once feeding, water, medications, and other essential aspect of hog farming are provided, hog farm attendants may not be intensely pressured by the hogs.
How to Apply in Ontario Hog Farms as an attendant
Applicants must understand that the majority of mid-range and small-scale hog farms may not have an online presence or an online job application approach.
Given the environmental impact of hog wastes, most hog farms are located in the rural or remote part of Ontario. Farmers here are more concerned about producing quality hogs than social media awareness.
Ontario residents willing to work in pig farms are therefore advised to apply within such Hog farm facilities. Note that hog farming is a practical sector and when applying within the facility is not feasible, most Canadian hog farmers patronize the services of recruitment agencies.
There are still a few Canadian hog farms with an online presence. An example is Maple Leaf Foods. You may want to check for career opportunities and possibly apply for hog farming vacancies at the facility here.
Visit the Official Website
Note for foreigners
For our readers who are not Canadians or in Canada, if you desire to work in a hog farm in Ontario or other parts of Canada, you may first inquire if such a farm will be willing to facilitate your migration.