What’s it all about then?

As a Pig Technician you’ll carry out a number of specialist jobs on the farm including vaccinations and the use of computers to scan sows for pregnancy.

This is an important role on the pig farm and goes a long way to ensuring long term profitability.

What might I be doing?

Your tasks may vary but are likely to include some of the following:

• Treating and vaccinating livestock
• Entering and monitoring computerised data
• Managing the movement of livestock
• Delivering artificial insemination
• Advising on what sires should be used at any time
• Reducing wastage
• Managing computerised feed systems
• Identifying sows ready for insemination
• Working with specialist vets
• Caring for  all of the livestock

What will be expected of me?

You’ll have to be someone who enjoys working with and caring for animals in a farm environment and, of course, pigs in particular!

Your qualities of patience and observation are vital to this role and you’ll need to be able to monitor individual animals as well as larger groups.

Although part of a team a large part of the work will require you to work alone, for instance inputting data to computers and then using this to measure progress and make amendments as necessary.

You’ll be expected to act on your own initiative and be able to solve problems as they arise.

What can I expect?

Many people expect pig farms to be dirty smelly places – in fact modern techniques of ventilation and housing have improved this issue immensely although of course some level of smell has to be expected.

Some pigs are kept indoors throughout the year whilst others have their animals kept out of doors at least some of the time – this means that working conditions can vary from business to business.

Generally you can expect to work a 39 hour week although overtime will be expected during busy periods.

You can also expect to be given full protective clothing to wear whilst you’re working.

What about the pay?

This depends on where you’re based, your employer and also the amount of skills and experience you have.

However a skilled pig technician could earn from £16000 to £20000 per annum and this may be augmented by the provision of accommodation and overtime payments as required.

For a really experienced technician anywhere in excess of £20000 and upwards is payable.

Please remember these figures are only a guide and you should always check when applying for employment in this role.

What qualifications do I need to get in?

There are no set qualifications for a Pig Technician and you’ll likely have progressed to this job from being employed as general worker or possibly trainee.

There are many courses available to you and these include the City & Guilds Level 2 diploma in Agriculture and the BTEC Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Agriculture.

You could also consider an Apprenticeship in Agriculture which means you’ll earn while you learn, which can’t be bad!

Many employers will also provide you with specific training on different sorts of machine as well and you should get as many qualifications as you can.

Where would I get these qualifications?

There are numerous agriculture courses available for you to take when you leave school and you can check the prospectus from your local agricultural college for details.

What about further training?

In terms of qualifications there are loads of agricultural courses throughout the UK at all levels.

Assuming you complete a Level 3 as above the next thing might be to consider a Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Agriculture.

If you want to move into farm management then a course combining agricultural knowledge and management skills is also a possibility.

If you make the role of Pig Technician your career then you should consider joining the Pig Industry Professional Register – this body recognises professionalism throughout the pig industry and encourages members to continue to develop both themselves and their skills – this is a great way to progress in the industry.

Details available on www.pipr.org.uk

Anything else I might need to know?

Yes, the job of Pig Technician may also be referred to as that of stockman but this is changing because the industry realises that this much more reflects the nature of the modern role.

The job of Pig Technician is a progressive and fulfilling job which can lead to management roles, and certainly not the dirty, smelly, poorly paid job with no prospects that many wrongly believe!