care for the flock
Care for the safety and welfare of the flock. Graze the animals, herd them to areas of good forage, and keep a watchful eye out for poisonous plants.
Shepherds manage the welfare and movement of livestock, especially sheep, goats and other grazing animals, in a variety of surroundings.
Competences and skills
15 ESCO relationsEssential skills and competences 11 competences
Occupation specific
5 competencesensure flock safety
Protect the flock from wolves and other predators. Keep them from eating harmful plants.
examine animals
Examine animals in case thay are injured, sick, or having a disease. Check up on physical characteristics, such as rate of weight gain.
move animals
Move grazing animals between pastures to ensure that they have enough fresh grass to eat. Manage their journey and accommodation needs.
provide flock medical treatment
Treat livestock medically, providing adapted medical treatment and administering medications and vaccinations when required
Sector-specific
6 competencesassist animal birth
Assist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock. Make sure the animal has a clean and quiet place where it can give birth. Have clean drying towels handy at hand and a bottle filled with iodine.
conduct shearing of wool
Carry out sheep or goat wool shearing and initial processing and packaging as appropriate. Work with the shearers to reach standards described in the farm policy manual.
maintain pastures
Ensure that animals on pastures or grazing lands have enough feed. Employ pasture-conservation measures such as grazing in rotation.
milk animals
Milk cows and other farm animals, manually or using mechanical means.
- Scope note
- Applies to cattle, sheep and goat
provide nutrition to animals
Provide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.'
work independently in agriculture
Perform tasks individually in livestock and animal production services by taking decisions without help. Handle tasks and tackle with issues or problems without any outside assistance.
Cross-sector
0 competencesNo competences in this bucket.
Optional skills and competences 4 competences
Occupation specific
1 competencebreed goats
Prepare a suitable environment for goat breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of goats. Monitor the goat's growth and health and ensure correct feeding.
Sector-specific
2 competencescarry out cheese production
Carry out onsite and on farm milking and processing activities for cheese production.
maintain farm equipment
Use oil, grease guns, and hand tools to lubricate, adjust, and make minor repairs to farm equipment.
Cross-sector
1 competencecreate solutions to problems
Solve problems which arise in planning, prioritising, organising, directing/facilitating action and evaluating performance. Use systematic processes of collecting, analysing, and synthesising information to evaluate current practice and generate new understandings about practice.