Mixed Cattle and Sheep Farmer
What the work is
Plans, organises, controls, coordinates and performs farming operations to breed and raise cattle and sheep for meat, milk, wool and breeding stock.
Would you enjoy the work?
These are the main tasks in the official description. Mark how each one sounds to you.
- Plans and coordinates the breeding and raising of cattle and sheep for the production of meat, milk, wool and breeding stock
- Organises mixed cattle and sheep farming operations and routines, such as feeding, herding and drenching, and administration of vaccinations and medications
- Selects and purchases breeding stock, and manages cattle and sheep breeding programs
- Organises cattle and sheep farming operations and routines, such as mustering, shearing, milking and sterilising machines
- Monitors and maintains the health, welfare and condition of cattle and sheep, including developing and overseeing strategies to manage biosecurity risk and disease
- Directs and oversees general cattle and sheep farming activities, including the provision and maintenance of infrastructure such as pens, fences and sheds, and the preparation of pasture and fodder
- Organises the sale, purchase and transportation of cattle and sheep for meat and breeding purposes, and the sale of wool and milk
- Maintains and evaluates records of cattle and sheep farming activities, monitors market activity, and plans production accordingly
- Manages cattle and sheep farm business capital, including budgeting, taxation, debt and loan management
- May select, train and supervise cattle and sheep farm workers
Try it
A simulation and a case study from this kind of work, set in a fictional mixed cattle and sheep property in hilly country on a sale day and fire-danger week. They are fictional.
The kind of days you could have
Good days
- A mob of weaned lambs and steers are sold at a good sale and the buyers shake your hand
- You and a neighbour muster a big paddock with dogs and horses and nothing goes wrong
- A wet spring brings the best pasture you have seen in years
Hard days
- A fire-danger day with sheep and cattle in different paddocks and not enough hands
- A fence is down, the stock are mixed and the rain is coming
- Choosing between the sheep and the cattle when you only have time for one job
Written by Career Calling as a general guide. Real roles vary by employer and place.
Work a mission
Step into a simulated workplace in this field, with a brief from your manager.
Description and tasks: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Occupation Standard Classification for Australia, 2024, Version 1.0 (opens another site), occupation 152331, used under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. The skill guide above is our plain English summary.