Livestock Labourer Jobs in Canada: Earn $19+/Hour, Full-Time Contract with Visa Pathways!
Are you passionate about animal care and seeking a stable, full-time career in Canada’s vital agricultural sector? Canada’s livestock industry, encompassing cattle, dairy, poultry, and hog farming, is experiencing a high demand for dedicated Livestock Labourers. Many positions offer full-time contracts and provide crucial visa pathways for international workers looking to establish a long-term future in Canada.
Why Work in Canada’s Livestock Sector?
Canada is a global leader in responsible livestock production, offering a robust and essential industry that contributes significantly to the national economy. As a Livestock Labourer, you’ll find:
- Consistent Demand: The need for skilled workers to care for animals and manage farm operations is constant across various provinces.
- Essential Role: You’ll play a direct part in producing food for Canadians and the world, a truly impactful and rewarding career.
- Full-Time Stability: Many positions offer stable, full-time employment, providing more security than seasonal roles.
- Pathways to Permanent Residency: For eligible workers, Canada offers specific immigration programs designed to transition experienced agricultural workers to permanent resident status.
What Does a Livestock Labourer Do?
Livestock labourers are integral to the daily operations of animal farms. Your duties may vary based on the type of farm (e.g., dairy, beef, poultry, hog), but generally include:
- Feeding and Watering: Ensuring animals receive appropriate feed and fresh water according to schedules and dietary needs.
- Animal Care and Monitoring: Observing animals for signs of illness or injury, providing basic care, assisting with vaccinations, and reporting health concerns to supervisors.
- Barn and Pen Maintenance: Cleaning and sanitizing stables, barns, pens, and other animal housing areas to maintain hygienic conditions.
- Handling and Moving Animals: Safely moving, sorting, branding, and preparing animals for transport.
- Assisting with Breeding Programs: Supporting breeding activities, including artificial insemination, birthing, and caring for newborn animals.
- Equipment Operation: Operating and maintaining basic farm machinery and equipment used in livestock operations (e.g., skid steers, feed mixers).
- Record Keeping: Maintaining records related to animal health, feeding, and production.
Key Skills & Requirements:
While formal education is often not a strict requirement, successful candidates typically possess:
- Physical Stamina: The role involves standing for long periods, bending, lifting heavy feed bags or equipment, and repetitive tasks.
- Comfort Working with Animals: A genuine care for animals and the ability to work calmly and effectively around them.
- Strong Work Ethic: Reliability, punctuality, and a proactive approach to daily tasks.
- Ability to Follow Instructions: Adherence to strict health and safety protocols and animal care guidelines.
- Teamwork and Independence: The ability to collaborate with other farm staff while also completing individual tasks efficiently.
- Basic English or French Communication: Necessary for understanding instructions and communicating with colleagues and supervisors.
- Prior Experience (An Asset): Previous experience in farming, especially with livestock, is highly valued but not always mandatory, as on-the-job training is often provided.
Compensation and Earning Potential
Wages for Livestock Labourers in Canada are competitive, reflecting the essential nature of the work.
- Average Hourly Wage: The median hourly wage for Livestock Labourers across Canada is around $19.00 per hour Canadian. This can range from the provincial minimum wage (e.g., currently $17.23 in Ontario, $17.98 in Alberta, $17.85 in BC for agricultural labourers as of June 1, 2025) up to $29.00 per hour Canadian or more, depending on the province, employer, and the worker’s experience and specific responsibilities.
- Annual Earnings: For a full-time position (e.g., 40 hours per week), annual earnings can range from approximately $31,200 to over $60,000 per year Canadian. More specialized or supervisory roles offer higher earning potential.
Full-Time Contracts and Visa Pathways
Many Canadian livestock farms offer full-time employment contracts, which are crucial for international applicants seeking stability and a pathway to permanent residency. These contracts are often supported by the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP).
Visa and Permanent Residency Pathways:
- Job Offer & LMIA: The foundational step is securing a genuine, full-time job offer from a Canadian employer. The employer will typically need to obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), which demonstrates the need for a foreign worker.
- Work Permit Application: With a positive LMIA and a job offer, you can apply for a work permit through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
- Pathways to Permanent Residency: Canada actively seeks to retain skilled agricultural workers. Key programs that can lead to permanent residency include:
- Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs): Many provinces, such as Saskatchewan, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, and British Columbia, have specific streams under their PNPs designed for agricultural workers with a valid job offer and work experience in the province. These streams often lead to an invitation to apply for permanent residency.
- Agri-Food Pilot (Check Status): While this pilot program has had application caps and a stated end date (May 14, 2025), it’s important to check IRCC’s official website for any extensions or new similar programs. This pilot specifically targeted experienced non-seasonal workers in certain agricultural occupations (including cattle, hog, and poultry farming) for permanent residency.
- Express Entry: While generally for higher-skilled occupations, some agricultural roles, particularly those with a supervisory component or specific educational backgrounds, might qualify under Express Entry programs like the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) if you meet the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score requirements. Agriculture and agri-food occupations remain on the list of categories for Express Entry draws in 2025.
- Rural Community Immigration Pilot / Atlantic Immigration Program: These employer-driven programs are designed to attract and retain foreign workers in specific rural or Atlantic communities, often including agricultural roles.
Important Application Tips:
- Official Job Boards: Start your search on official Canadian government job boards like Job Bank Canada (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/home). Filter for “LMIA” or “international candidates” to find relevant full-time contract jobs with potential visa sponsorship. Search for “livestock labourer,” “dairy farm worker,” “poultry farm worker,” “cattle ranch labourer,” etc.
- IRCC Website: Always refer to the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website (https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship.html) for the most up-to-date information on work permits and permanent residency programs.
- Resume & Cover Letter: Tailor your resume to highlight any relevant experience with animals, farm equipment, or physically demanding work. Your cover letter should express your dedication and interest in a long-term career in Canadian agriculture.
If you are a hardworking individual with a passion for animals and a desire to build a future in Canada, exploring opportunities as a Livestock Labourer could be your next great step.
Disclaimer: Job availability, wages, and immigration program requirements are subject to change. Always verify information with official government sources and specific employers. Be cautious of fraudulent job offers; legitimate visa sponsorship will involve an LMIA (where applicable) and official application processes through IRCC.