PATHWAYS TO A CAREER SHEEP & WOOL. Pathways to a career: Sheep & Wool

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SHEEP & WOOL

PATHWAYS TO A CAREER

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Acknowledgements

Thanks to the following individuals who made contributions and provided assistance during the development of this booklet:

Margaret Anderson Industry Consultant

John Goldsmith

Agriculture Course Coordinator Longerenong College

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Introduction

The Victorian sheep and wool industry Prime lamb production

Wool harvesting Is sheep farming for me? Career options Taking the first step Career pathways

Small farm model Large farm model Career profiles Trainee Apprentice Farmhand Owner/Manager/Share Farmer Livestock Manager/Overseer Cropping Manager/Overseer Specialist Managers Specialist Contractors

Farm Business Owner/Manager Shearing Contractor Shearer 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 14 15 16 17 18 18 19 19 20 21 21

Introduction

It has often been said that the Australian economy ‘rode on the sheep’s back’. And although sheep and wool exports are no longer Australia’s largest foreign income earners, our sheep farmers still make a significant contribution to the wealth and prosperity of this nation.

Lamb and mutton form an important part of the Australian menu. Bred to suit today’s eating habits, the modern prime lamb yields a leaner type of meat than our great-grandparents ate.

Our sheep farmers also produce some of the finest quality Merino fleece in the world, with strong demand from around the world.

One reason that farmers give for choosing farming as a career is the challenge and interest of the work. The variety that each day brings, and the diverse range of skills that are required to manage a farm profitably make farming one of the most satisfying jobs you can imagine.

If you are thinking of sheep farming as a career—whether in prime lamb production or wool harvesting—this booklet will serve as a great starting point.

Read on and discover the many opportunities and career pathways that could await you in the sheep and wool industry.

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Victoria’s reputation as a producer of high quality meat and wool can be attributed to up-to-date breeding techniques, new sheep breeds, innovative technologies, and a

willingness to try fresh ideas.

The variety of climates that occur throughout Victoria allow different types of wool to be grown. Stronger, coarser wool grows well in drier, hotter areas such as the Mallee. Finer,

softer wool is grown in higher rainfall zones, where the climate is cooler. The Western

District of Victoria is world renowned for the high quality fine wool that

can be grown in its temperate climate.

Victorian prime lamb is produced on farms throughout the State. Traditionally, farmers have grown prime lamb in conjunction with grain production and other mixed farming enterprises.

Modern breeding methods have created sheep with exceptional qualities for meat production; producing lambs that have lean meat, are fast growers and will provide an improved return for the Victorian prime lamb producer. As you are about to see, the farming skills associated with prime lamb production and wool harvesting are quite specialised—although both are equally rewarding.

The Victorian sheep and wool industry

Melbourne Benalla Shepparton Rochester Ballarat Geelong Corryong Bairnsdale Warragul Horsham Hamilton Warrnambool Swan Hill

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Producing quality meat for domestic and export markets requires a flexible and dynamic approach to managing the business. Prime lamb producers have recognised the need for a fresh approach to breeding and finishing lambs, and to marketing the end product. And this approach requires technical innovation and new skills.

Part of the attraction of this industry is the variety of skills that are required to do this type of work. The constant challenge to improve production and profitability, and the opportunity to gain new skills through training and experience mean that you will never be bored.

What’s involved?

Working on a farm producing prime lamb may find you: • Driving tractors to maintain pastures, cut fodder, spread

fertiliser, sow crops and manage pests.

• Handling sheep to yard them for shearing, crutching, drafting, weighing, health care and lamb marking. • Attending field days to observe new and innovative

equipment and ideas, study new methods of production and meet others in the industry.

• Collating and recording information such as liveweight of lambs, artificial breeding results, chemical usage, production results and market trends.

• Researching marketing methods, new breeds of sheep or fodder crops, weather patterns or the environmental impact of a proposed new tillage method.

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Growing quality wool for a local, national or international market requires the most up-to-date scientific techniques, as well as good old fashioned stockmanship.

Wool growers in Victoria have some of the top bloodlines in the world, and employ up-to-date technology to ensure the quality of their wool throughout the selection, breeding and production cycle.

Even if prime lamb production does not interest you, wool harvesting offers a number of exciting challenges as a potential career path.

What’s involved?

Working on a property producing wool may find you: • Attending wool sales to see your wool sold and gain a

deeper understanding of your market.

• Driving tractors to maintain pastures, cut fodder, spread fertiliser, sow crops and manage pests.

• Handling sheep to yard them for shearing, crutching, drafting, weighing, health care and lamb marking. • Attending field days to observe new and innovative

equipment and ideas, study new methods of production and meet others in the industry.

• Collating and recording information such as fleece weight and quality, artificial breeding results, chemical usage, production results and market trends.

• Researching new ideas such as different types of fodder crops, weather patterns or the environmental impact of a proposed new tillage method.

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To answer this question, think about the kind of things that you enjoy doing now.

To you, farming might be all about working outdoors, or about being your ‘own boss’. For some, farming appeals simply because it allows them to see things grow and change around them. You may enjoy working with your hands as well as your head, or love animals. No doubt you will have your own reasons for choosing farming as a rewarding career. But before you choose farming as a career, you also need to think about what your future career may demand of you.

You will have many questions in the back of your mind. This booklet will answer some of your questions, but when you want to find out more, you can search the many links listed at the back of this booklet. Better still, why not speak to a sheep farmer and find out for yourself?

I want a job where I can do different things.

Many different skills are required to manage and care for sheep—or in any mixed farming enterprise, for that matter. In one day you may move from driving heavy machinery to caring for a lambing ewe, from servicing a motorbike to checking market reports on the Internet.

I am not good at getting up in the morning.

Morning starts are a hurdle for many people, not just farmers! If you have a real passion for farming, then early mornings will eventually become an enjoyable part of your normal work routine.

Farm work is too hard.

Farming is certainly physically demanding. So are many other jobs—but they may offer none of the rewards and satisfaction farming can bring. Farming is not a nine-to-five job, but let’s be honest: any successful career requires hard work—and farming is no exception.

Is farming a career that can be built on?

Definitely! Reading through this booklet will show you the wide variety of opportunities that are out there for building a successful career in the sheep and wool industry. And as with any industry, hard work and a positive attitude provide a wealth of further opportunities.

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Career options

The sheep and wool industry offers different career pathways, beginning at the farm and extending into manufacturing, supporting industries and specialist

consultancy services. While this booklet focuses specifically on opportunities within the production side of the sheep and wool industry, you may want to explore some of the alternative directions that you might take beyond the farm gate.

In this booklet, you will find career information on roles such as:

• Farm manager • Farmhand • Apprenticeships • Sheep classer • Wool classer • Shearer • Wool handler • Shearing contractor • Specialist contractor.

You may also want to explore other careers that support the sheep and wool industry including:

Sciences

• Veterinary science • Agronomy

• Artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET)

Wool processing • Wool testing • Wool buying • Fibre manufacturing Finance • Auctioneering • Futures trading • Wool broking Processing • Meat manufacturing • Food technology.

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Consider these career options:

I would like to work outdoors. • Trainee

• Apprentice • Farmhand I would like to work with livestock.

I would like to work with farm machinery. I don’t mind working on my own.

I would prefer to develop specialist skills. • Wool handler • Wool classer • Shearer

• Shearing contractor Changing scenery and being on the move appeals to me.

I like to work as part of a team.

I like working with computers and new technology. • Owner/manager/share farmer • Livestock manager/overseer • Cropping manager/overseer • Farm business owner/manager I want to operate my own farm.

For me the future is about managing the business. I would like to specialise in an area of sheep farming.

A plunge into the unknown is always a little frightening, but, as you will discover from this booklet, the

opportunities to build a great career within the sheep and wool industry are most certainly awaiting you.

Do you enjoy working with and caring for animals? Or perhaps you love being out in the fresh air? Maybe you have a dream of owning your own farm one day, or you would like to become a specialist in the industry. The statements below are designed to help you think through what issues are important to you.

Remember, for more information about careers in the sheep and wool industry (as well as recognised training) you can visit the following websites, or refer to the ‘Further information’ section at the back of this booklet:

• Primary Skills Victoria http://www.psv.com.au/ • Rural Skills Australia

http://www.ruralskills.com.au/ • Agri-Food Industry Skills Council http://www.agrifoodskills.net.au/

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Career pathways and models

The ways that farms are structured varies across Victoria, and so do the available roles and career opportunities. Farming as a profession is experiencing many changes— both in the technology that is used and the new career pathways that are emerging.

The small farm is typical of many farms found in Victoria. Traditionally owned and operated by family members, these types of farming businesses require workers with a wide range of skills and expertise.

Larger farms are becoming increasingly common. These types of businesses demand highly skilled workers and specialist managers to ensure they run efficiently.

The farming models that you will find over the page show some of the career pathways within small and large farms. Entry into the industry tends to be either via a traineeship or an apprenticeship. With further training, you can advance in your career along either of these pathways.

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Small farm model

The traditional family farm has been the mainstay of the sheep and wool industry. Entry may be as a trainee, progressing to farmhand as your skills develop.

The apprenticeship pathway is another starting point, with both a training and a practical component. Both these pathways can lead to specialisation in either the wool harvesting or contracting field, and possibly, in time, to some form of farm ownership.

See p.17 See p.16 See p.15 See p.19 See p.14 See p.21 p.22 Apprentice Farmhand Farm Owner/Manager/ Share Farmer Specialist Contractors Spraying Fencing Pasture establishment Crop harvesting Trainee Wool Harvesting Shearing contractor Shearer Wool handler Wool classer

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See p.18

See p.19

The trend toward larger farms is likely to continue, with stock numbers on a wool producing property often being in the thousands. The size of these operations and the management challenges that come with them demand specialist skills, offering further career options.

Large farm model

See p.19 See p.16 See p.15 See p.14 See p.21 p.22 Cropping Manager Overseer Livestock Manager Overseer Specialist Managers Specialist Contractors Spraying Fencing Pasture establishment Crop harvesting Farmhand Apprentice Trainee Wool Harvesting Shearing contractor Shearer Wool handler Wool classer

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Trainee

As a new trainee, your initial responsibilities and level of expertise will require you to work under direct supervision. With more training and experience you will be expected to work independently, while still under supervision.

As a trainee in either wool or meat production at Certificate II level, you will be mentored by a more senior worker or the farm owner/manager.

Roles and responsibilities

A trainee may be required to: • Carry out basic farm maintenance • Load and unload goods

• Assist with caring for lambing ewes and newborn lambs • Feed livestock

• Operate heavy equipment and other farm machinery • Operate and service pumps, motors and farm vehicles • Assist with managing livestock health such as drenching • Assist with planting and harvesting fodder crops • Assist with wool harvesting procedures, including

crutching

• Handle chemicals used for weed and pest control.

Qualifications

Certificate II in Agriculture

To find training providers in your area, see the ‘Further information’ section at the back of this booklet.

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Apprentice

As a trained and highly skilled worker, your responsibilities as an apprentice and levels of expertise will require you to operate independently and perform duties efficiently. As an apprentice, you may be training at Certificate III or IV level in either wool or meat production, and will operate under the supervision of a more senior worker or the farm owner/manager.

An apprentice may be required to: • Carry out basic farm maintenance • Load and unload goods

• Establish and monitor crops and pastures

• Manage or assist with caring for lambing ewes and newborn lambs

• Feed livestock

• Operate heavy equipment and other farm machinery • Operate and service pumps, motors and farm vehicles • Conduct or assist in livestock health management such as

drenching

• Conduct or assist in the planting and harvesting of fodder crops

• Conduct or assist in wool harvesting procedures, including crutching

• Handle chemicals used for weed and pest control • Negotiate with government representatives and

bank officials.

Qualifications

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Farmhand

For many, this role marks the beginning of their career in the sheep and wool industry. You may start off as a farmhand with no experience at all, progressing to management roles as your expertise, training and experience develop. Over time, your responsibilities will increase to reflect your experience, attitude and proficiency. You may start working on a farm as a trainee and then enter an apprenticeship, or you may complete a traineeship and continue to work on properties as a highly skilled farmhand. Although some farmhands have no formal training or qualifications, most employers prefer their staff to have some formal qualifications.

An experienced farmhand may have significant

responsibilities on the property and be highly regarded by the owner/manager as a skilled employee.

As an experienced farmhand you will usually work under indirect supervision, or in association with the owner or manager. Your roles and responsibilities may be similar to those of an apprentice, but will require more skills and carry more responsibility.

As a farmhand you may be required to: • Repair and construct fencing

• Care for lambing ewes and newborn lambs • Feed livestock

• Establish and monitor crops and pastures

• Operate heavy equipment and other farm machinery • Operate and service pumps, motors and farm vehicles • Perform livestock health management such as drenching • Plant and harvest fodder crops

• Perform wool harvesting procedures, including crutching • Work with and supervise new employees

• Handle chemicals used for weed and pest control.

Qualifications

Certificate III in Agriculture

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Owner/Manager/Share Farmer

The thought of owning and operating a farm may at first seem overwhelming, even given the potential rewards of this career path.

As an owner, you are responsible for the success of the business, the safety and health of your employees and the sustainability of the land you manage. The lifestyle is varied, and very attractive for self-starters who enjoy responsibility and challenges.

Managing a property is rewarding and exciting, offering many opportunities for expanding your skills and experience. As the trend toward larger, corporate-style farming businesses continues, there are increasing opportunities opening up for people with the skills and qualifications to undertake the demanding position of farm manager.

Share farming is an ideal way to gain entry into this career pathway. Exactly how a share farming partnership works will vary. For example, you could share a percentage of the income and costs with the farm owner; perhaps in a 50:50 arrangement where you own the stock and basic equipment, and share the income.

The skills required

Whatever your individual partnership arrangements, as an owner/manager/share farmer you will need to have a range of technical and managerial skills, in addition to the practical skills listed for the position of farmhand.

These include:

• Identifying and monitoring pasture production issues • Supervising employees and work teams

• Identifying and monitoring stock health issues • Undertaking animal husbandry

• Maintaining farm machinery and equipment • Developing short and long term business plans • Negotiating with government representatives and

bank officials.

Qualifications

Certificate IV in Agriculture

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Livestock Manager/Overseer

This specialist position is likely to be found on larger farms where the numbers of stock demand close attention to animal health and productivity.

You may be expected to:

• Supervise employees and work routines • Identify and monitor stock health issues • Undertake genetic selection

• Perform artificial insemination

• Monitor stock nutrition and production

• Supervise stock health management procedures

• Supervise wool harvesting procedures, including crutching • Assist in planting and harvesting fodder crops.

Qualifications

Diploma of Agriculture (Rural Business Management)

Cropping Manager/Overseer

Good nutrition is essential to the health of sheep, and enables high yields from wool and meat production. The cropping manager/overseer in a large mixed farming enterprise contributes to the business viability of the farm by ensuring profitable crops are grown in conjunction with suitable pastures for the stock.

You may be expected to:

• Supervise employees and work routines • Identify and monitor stock health issues

• Monitor soil fertility, stock nutrition and water quality • Establish and monitor crops and pastures

• Service and maintain plant and equipment

• Supervise fodder conservation and grazing practices • Assist in wool harvesting procedures, including crutching • Supervise the use of chemicals for weed and pest control • Maintain farm machinery and equipment

• Utilise various business management and planning skills.

Qualifications

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Specialist Managers

A larger property may support specialist positions to ensure the maximum profitability of the enterprise. For instance, a large lamb feedlot may require a specialist to oversee the nutritional requirements of the stock.

The nature of each position will dictate the type of skills that are required. A high level of specific knowledge would be expected, as well as an excellent understanding of the nature of the industry.

Qualifications

Specialist Contractors

It may be economically more efficient for a farm—

particularly smaller properties—to employ a contractor for seasonal work, especially where expensive machinery is required for a job.

A contractor may be a local farmer who has specialist skills and appropriate plant and equipment. Or they may have a contracting business that travels to the work with the changing seasons. A high level of specific knowledge would be expected for work of this nature.

Some of the work done by contractors includes: • Fencing

• Sowing and harvesting cereal and fodder crops • Pasture establishment and maintenance • Wool harvesting procedures such as shearing

and crutching

• Applying chemicals used for weed and pest control.

Qualifications

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Farm Business Owner/Manager

A current trend—both overseas and in Australia—is the emergence of large scale farms, operating on business models closely aligned with those of large corporations. As farms become larger, the increasing complexity of managing these huge assets becomes the responsibility of a farm business manager.

It is at this level that the importance of being involved in the daily operations of the enterprises shifts towards ensuring the long term viability of the farm.

You will need to be adaptable and versatile to do this type of work, as you will be expected to carry out practical farm tasks as well as maintaining financial records, and developing comprehensive short and long term property management strategies.

Organisational skills and the ability to plan ahead are very important in this role, as you will need to apply different strategies to protect the farm business from unpredictable changes in the market.

In this role you would be focused on:

• Developing short and long term business projections • Planning for expansion and development

• Monitoring international trends and markets • Securing business investment.

Qualifications

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Shearing Contractor

Shearing contractors manage teams of shearers and shed staff. They also undertake all arrangements for managing and servicing shearing sheds for the property owners who engage them.

To become a shearing contractor, you will require work experience as a shearer or as a professional wool classer, and also as a manager of shearing shed staff and their operations. Many of the management skills required can be developed through studying units in Rural Business Management.

In this role you would be focused on: • Arranging employment and team wages • Managing shearing operations and supplies • Conducting and assessing workplace training • Establishing and maintaining shed safety • Sharpening combs and cutters.

Qualifications

Shearers

Shearers remove wool from sheep and perform the

essential tasks that improve the efficiency of their shearing. Most shearers travel to the property where the shearing is being conducted.

Shearers own and maintain their own equipment and perform many tasks other than the main process of shearing fleece from sheep. For example, capturing the sheep in a catching-pen and dragging it to the shearing machine. This work is physically demanding and correct handling techniques are needed.

Shearers begin their careers as learner shearers attached to a shearing team. Shearers progress from learners to improvers when they can shear 80 sheep per day. Because payment is based on the number of sheep shorn, there are strong incentives for shearers to improve their tallies.

In this role you would be focused on: • Shearing sheep

• Maintaining shearing equipment • Working as part of a team.

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Wool Handler

Wool handlers work in as part of a shearing team and are usually employed by the shearing contractor. The work of the wool handler is essential to the smooth operation of a shearing team, as well as to the quality of the wool. It is highly skilled work and must be done very quickly. A first-class wool handler is appreciated by everyone working in the shed.

Some of the work done by a wool handler includes: • Picking up fleeces

• Sweeping the board • Skirting and rolling fleeces • Penning up sheep

• Pressing wool in bales.

Qualifications

Certificate II in Agriculture (Wool Handling)

Wool Classer

Professional wool classers move from shed to shed, directing wool handlers in ways to prepare wool so as to create lines of uniform quality for sale.

Wool classers require detailed knowledge of the characteristics of a broad range of wool types, as well as good supervision and team leadership skills. Work undertaken by professional wool classers may include: • Supervising wool handlers

• Determining the classing strategy for the wool clip • Monitoring shearing shed duties

• Establishing and maintaining the shed’s Occupational Health and Safety program

• Conducting and assessing workplace training • Arranging employment

• Managing shearing operations • Sharpening combs and cutters • Accounting for shearing shed supplies • Preparing team wages.

Qualifications

Certificate IV in Agriculture (Wool Classing)

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Further information

Industry bodies

Animal Health Australia

http://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/ Australian Wool Innovation Ltd.

http://www.wool.com.au/ LambPlan

http://www.sheepgenetics.org.au/lambplan/ Meat and Livestock Australia

http://www.mla.com.au/default.htm Merino Select

http://www.sheepgenetics.org.au/merinoselect/ Australian Wool Exchange

www.awex.com.au/

Australian Wool Services Ltd. http://www.woolmark.com/ Landmark

http://www.landmark.com.au/

Black and Coloured Sheep Breeders Assoc. http://www.ballaratweb.net/bcsbaa/index.html The Best Jobs in the Country

http://www.agbizcareers.com.au/

Government support agencies

Australian Agriculture Portal http://www.agriculture.gov.au/ FarmBis

http://www.farmbis.gov.au/ RSPCA Victoria

http://www.rspcavic.org/education/primary_jackiesstory.htm Department of Primary Industries

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/ Agri-Food Industry Skills Council http://www.agrifoodskills.net.au/ New Apprenticeships

http://newapprenticeships.gov.au/

Department of Education, Science and Training http://www.dest.gov.au

Training

Longerenong College http://www.longy.com.au/ Gordon Institute of TAFE http://www.gordontafe.edu.au/ Rural Industries Skill Training http://www.rist.com.au/ Rural Skills Australia

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PATHWAYS TO A CAREER SHEEP & WOOL. Pathways to a career: Sheep & Wool

SHEEP & WOOL