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Goats
Overview
Includes the grazing, farming or breeding of goats for meat, milk or fibre production.
Goat production involves the farming of goats for meat, milk or fleece for profit. Successful farming requires the management of livestock, the farm property, people and finances. Goat production is carried out in all states, and across a wide range of climates.
Do you want to work in an exciting and challenging industry that involves handling animals and machinery with extensive out-of-doors work? The Australian goat production industry offers all this and more.
The type of work carried out on a goat farm has been divided into 6 levels. These levels also relate to training and qualifications.
The titles for those who work at these levels are:
| Level | Job Role | Recommended qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Farmhand | Certificate II in Agriculture (Goat Production) |
| Level 3 | Senior Farm Hand | Certificate III in Agriculture (Goat Production) |
| Level 4 | Farm Supervisor | Certificate IV in Agriculture (Goat Production) |
| Level 5 | Farmer/Farm Manager | Diploma of Agriculture (Goat Production) |
| Level 6 | Rural Business Manager | Advanced Diploma of Agriculture (Goat Production) Diploma of Rural Business Management |
Level 2 – Farmhand
A farmhand is likely to be involved in a wide range of tasks, working under limited supervision. Work undertaken as a farmhand includes:
- handling goats in yards
- operating machinery, equipment and ride-on farm vehicles
- mustering and moving goats
- monitoring and marketing kids
- milking goats
- slaughtering goats
- maintaining stock water supply equipment
- maintaining farm improvements and fences
There are a number of ways to get work as a farmhand. Many workers begin working on a goat property as assistant farmhands. Once they develop their skills and knowledge they can undertake the role of a farmhand.
With a goat production traineeship, you will start training as an assistant farmhand before moving on to work as a farmhand. Individuals with general agricultural experience are often able to obtain work as farmhands in the goat industry – to assist with general property work – on a casual basis.
The national qualification available for farmhands who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on the job is the Certificate II in Agriculture (Goat Production).
Priority skills areas for working as a farmhand include workplace health and safety, chemical use, mustering and handling goats, property maintenance, and machinery and equipment operation.
Level 3 Senior Farmhand
A senior farmhand is an experienced worker and is likely to be involved in co-ordinating a wide range of farm operations.Work undertaken as a senior farmhand includes:
- selecting goats for market
- loading and unloading goats/fibre
- carrying out goat husbandry practices
- preparing for kidding and rearing kids
- preparing goats and facilities for shearing
- classing goat fibre
- supervising milking of goat herd
- installing and maintaining property water supplies
Individuals with extensive goat production or general agricultural experience are also often able to obtain work as senior farmhands. The national qualification available for a senior farmhand is the Certificate III in Agriculture (Goat Production).
Priority skills areas for working as a senior farmhand include workplace health and safety, selecting livestock for market, loading and unloading goats, animal health, rearing kids, milking goats, classing fibre and maintaining property water supplies.
Level 4 – Farm Supervisor
A farm supervisor has responsibility for a number of workers and goat production operations. Work undertaken by a farm supervisor includes:
- supervising feeding operations
- arranging livestock purchases and marketing
- designing goat handling facilities
- managing natural mating
- managing artificial breeding and embryo-transfer programs
- exhibiting goats
- supervising and training staff
There are a number of ways to get work as a farm supervisor. Many farm supervisors begin working on a property as farm tradespersons. Others may have completed a goat production traineeship.
The promotion of a farm tradesperson to farm supervisor occurs when the person shows they can take responsibility for property operations and supervise the activities of other staff.
The national qualification available for farm supervisors who have either undertaken formal training or learnt their skills on the job is the Certificate IV in Agriculture (Goat Production).
Priority skills areas for working as a farm supervisor include supervision of goat feeding and handling activities, staff supervision and training, goat mating and breeding, preparing goats and facilities for shearing and milking, and equipment and machinery management.
Level 5 – Farm Manager
A farm business manager is likely to have significant responsibilities in managing goat production activities. These responsibilities include:
- managing the property and staff
- livestock breeding and production
- marketing livestock
- preparing and managing a budget
- monitoring business performance
- managing feed, pastures, fodder and crops
- purchasing, maintaining and operating machinery
Farm managers achieve their position when they have shown that they can successfully manage goat production operations as a business. Often they have worked as farmhands, tradespersons and supervisors and have a good knowledge of and experience with goat production.
To achieve a Diploma in Agriculture (Goat Production) you will be required to demonstrate that you possess the necessary knowledge and skills for this level, and that you can apply these to industry standards.
Priority skills areas for working as a farm manager include property planning and management, livestock breeding and production, marketing livestock, staff management, and business planning and operations.
Level 6 – Rural Business Manager
A rural business manager has the primary responsibility for ensuring that the farm enterprise is successfully managed. The responsibilities of this position include:
- managing the property and staff
- livestock breeding and production
- marketing livestock
- preparing and managing a budget
- monitoring business performance
- managing feed, pastures, fodder and crops
- purchasing, maintaining and operating machinery
Rural business managers achieve their position when they have shown that they can successfully manage goat production operations as a business. They have a good knowledge of and experience with goat production.
To achieve an Advanced Diploma in Agriculture (Goat Production) you will be required to demonstrate that you possess the necessary knowledge and skills for this level, and that you can apply these to industry standards.
Priority skills areas for working as a rural business manager include whole farm planning and management, managing production systems, marketing of products, strategic planning and rural enterprise management.