Livestock Farming Jobs in the UK

Livestock Farming Jobs & Careers in the UK

Livestock farming is a cornerstone of British agriculture, covering the breeding, rearing and management of cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, deer and other farmed animals. From hands-on stockmanship and animal welfare to livestock genetics, nutrition, regenerative grazing and commercial farm management, the industry offers diverse and rewarding careers.

At FarmingJobs.co.uk, explore livestock jobs with family farms, commercial livestock enterprises, mixed farms, rural estates, breeding companies and agricultural businesses across the UK. Opportunities range from entry-level farm workers and shepherds to livestock specialists, herd managers and senior agricultural directors.

What Types of Livestock Farming Jobs Are Available?

Livestock farming offers practical, technical and management opportunities across beef, sheep, dairy, pig, goat and specialist livestock enterprises.

• Livestock Farm Worker / Stockperson – feeding, handling, monitoring and caring for farm animals, maintaining housing and supporting daily farm operations.
• Shepherd / Assistant Shepherd – managing sheep flocks, lambing, grazing, breeding, flock health and welfare.
• Beef Cattle Stockperson / Herdsperson – overseeing beef cattle, calving, feeding, animal health and herd performance.
• Dairy Herdsperson / Calf Rearer – supporting dairy cattle welfare, youngstock management, breeding and milk production.
• Pig Stockperson / Pig Unit Technician – managing breeding sows, farrowing, piglet rearing, feeding, housing and biosecurity.
• Goat / Specialist Livestock Keeper – managing dairy or meat goats, deer, alpacas and other specialist farmed animals.
• Livestock Machinery / Feeding Operator – operating feeding systems, tractors, telehandlers and livestock handling equipment.
• Livestock Breeding / Genetics Technician – supporting artificial insemination, breeding programmes, fertility monitoring and genetic improvement.
• Livestock Nutrition / Technical Adviser – advising farms on animal feed, nutrition, productivity and livestock performance.
• Head Shepherd / Herd Manager / Livestock Supervisor – managing animal welfare, staff, breeding, grazing and production targets.
• Livestock Farm Manager / Unit Manager – overseeing commercial livestock enterprises, budgets, animal health and operational performance.
• Livestock Operations Manager / Agricultural Director – leading multiple livestock units, commercial strategy and large agricultural businesses.
• Aquaculture/Fish Farming - Our livestock farming jobs also include opportunities in specialist sectors such as aquaculture and fish farming, including fish farm operatives, hatchery technicians, aquaculture specialists and farm managers.

Livestock Farming Salaries in the UK

Livestock farming offers strong earning potential for experienced stockpersons, skilled livestock specialists and managers responsible for larger herds, flocks and commercial farming operations.

Indicative annual salaries:

• Trainee Livestock Worker / Stockperson: £23,000–£29,000
• General Livestock Farm Worker: £26,000–£35,000
• Assistant Shepherd / Junior Herdsperson: £26,000–£34,000
• Experienced Shepherd / Stockperson: £30,000–£42,000
• Beef Cattle Herdsperson / Senior Stockperson: £32,000–£45,000
• Pig Unit Technician / Specialist Stockperson: £30,000–£43,000
• Head Shepherd / Livestock Supervisor: £35,000–£50,000
• Livestock Breeding / Genetics Technician: £30,000–£48,000
• Livestock Nutritionist / Technical Adviser: £38,000–£65,000
• Herd Manager / Livestock Unit Manager: £40,000–£60,000
• Senior Livestock Farm Manager: £50,000–£75,000
• Livestock Operations Manager / Agricultural Director: £65,000–£100,000+

These are broad indicative UK salary ranges showing potential higher-end earnings rather than typical averages. Senior figures relate mainly to larger commercial enterprises and specialist management roles. Accommodation, vehicles, overtime, bonuses and other benefits may increase the overall employment package.

Skills, Qualifications & Training

A university degree is not essential for many livestock farming careers. Employers place considerable value on practical animal handling, good stockmanship, welfare knowledge and experience working with livestock.

Vocational & Practical Routes

• Level 2 or Level 3 Agriculture Qualifications – covering livestock husbandry, animal welfare, feeding, breeding and farm operations.
• Level 2 General Farm Worker Apprenticeship – an entry route offering practical livestock experience and workplace training.
• Level 3 Livestock Unit Technician Apprenticeship – developing specialist skills in animal health, nutrition, breeding, biosecurity and livestock performance.
• Level 4 Assistant Farm Manager Apprenticeship – supporting progression into livestock supervision and farm management.
• T Level in Agriculture, Land Management & Production – including a livestock production pathway and industry placement.
• Specialist Livestock Training – including lambing, calving, artificial insemination, foot trimming, animal handling and safe use of veterinary medicines.
• Machinery & Farm Safety Qualifications – covering tractors, telehandlers, livestock handling systems, first aid and safe working practices.
• Regenerative Grazing & Pasture Management Training – useful for grass-based livestock systems, rotational grazing, soil health and sustainable farming.

University & Academic Routes

• BSc Agriculture / Agricultural Science – covering livestock production, farm management, nutrition and agricultural systems.
• BSc Animal Science / Livestock Production – focusing on animal physiology, breeding, genetics, welfare and nutrition.
• BSc Agricultural Business Management – relevant to commercial livestock management, agricultural economics and business leadership.
• BSc Animal Nutrition / Biological Sciences – useful for technical advisory, feed development and specialist livestock careers.
• Foundation Degree / HND in Agriculture or Animal Management – combining academic knowledge with practical livestock experience.

Postgraduate study can support careers in livestock research, genetics, advanced nutrition and agricultural consultancy.

How to Write a Strong Livestock Farming CV

A strong livestock CV should demonstrate practical animal experience, welfare knowledge, technical competence and the ability to work responsibly with livestock.

Six tips to strengthen your application:

1. Identify your livestock experience. Specify species, breeds, herd or flock sizes and production systems, including beef, sheep, dairy, pigs or goats.
2. Describe practical stockmanship. Include lambing, calving, farrowing, feeding, handling, breeding, health monitoring and youngstock care.
3. Highlight specialist skills. Mention artificial insemination, EID systems, grazing management, animal health records and livestock management software.
4. Include qualifications and training. List agricultural diplomas, apprenticeships, degrees, machinery certificates and livestock-specific training.
5. Show measurable achievements. Include lambing percentages, calving performance, mortality reduction, daily liveweight gain or improvements in animal welfare.
6. Demonstrate responsibility and leadership. Highlight independent working, staff supervision, biosecurity, record keeping and commercial livestock management.

Suggested CV structure:

• Professional Profile – a short summary of your livestock experience and areas of expertise.
• Key Skills – animal handling, welfare, breeding, nutrition, machinery and livestock systems.
• Employment History – species managed, herd or flock sizes, responsibilities and achievements.
• Qualifications & Training – agricultural certificates, apprenticeships, degrees and specialist training.
• Additional Information – driving licences, machinery competence, working dog experience and relevant memberships.

Tip for career changers: If you have limited farming experience, include practical volunteering, lambing placements, agricultural college training or transferable experience involving animals, machinery or outdoor work.

Career Progression in Livestock Farming

Many livestock professionals begin as general farm workers, apprentices, assistant shepherds or junior stockpersons before developing specialist skills in animal husbandry, breeding and herd management.

Experienced workers can progress into head shepherd, senior stockperson, herd manager or livestock unit manager positions.

Others specialise in animal genetics, nutrition, livestock technology, regenerative grazing or agricultural consultancy. Senior professionals may progress into managing large livestock enterprises, multiple farm units or agricultural business leadership.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a livestock farming job without experience?

Yes. Entry-level stockperson roles, lambing work, farm placements and agricultural apprenticeships provide opportunities to gain practical livestock experience.

What animals are included in livestock farming?

Livestock farming commonly includes cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, deer and other farmed animals. Dairy cattle are also livestock, although dairy farming has its own specialist career pathways. Poultry is generally treated as a separate agricultural sector.

Can livestock managers earn £50,000 or more?

Yes. Experienced herd managers, livestock unit managers and senior agricultural professionals can earn £50,000 or more, particularly within larger commercial farming enterprises.

What qualifications are useful for livestock farming?

Level 2 and Level 3 Agriculture qualifications, livestock apprenticeships and specialist animal welfare training are valuable practical routes. Agriculture and Animal Science degrees can support technical and management careers.

Where are livestock farming jobs available in the UK?

Livestock farming opportunities are widespread, particularly in Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Devon, Somerset, Cumbria, Yorkshire, the Midlands and South West England.

Find Livestock Farming Jobs on FarmingJobs.co.uk

Explore the latest Livestock Farming Jobs across the UK, from stockpersons, shepherds and cattle workers to livestock technicians, breeding specialists, herd managers and senior livestock farm managers.

Find your next opportunity with FarmingJobs.co.uk, the specialist UK farming and agricultural jobs board.