An agricultural contractor is a person who works in the farming industry and provides a variety of services. Agricultural operations, mobile operations, and livestock services are some of the sub-categories of these services. Agricultural operations are land and field-related services. Contractors who offer equipment that can be temporarily set up for seasonal use farms are considered mobile operations. Contractors who provide livestock services aid in the care of farm animals. Agricultural contractors typically work on a job-by-job basis and may travel to a variety of locations across a given region.
Fertilization, widespread chemical application, crop harvesting, and seed processing are all operations that deal with land, fields, or crops. A general understanding of farming methods and the types of farm machinery used in these operations is required of an agricultural contractor. Some contractors may specialize in a few areas or provide a limited range of services, such as specialized ground crop spraying or manure spreading. Others provide a variety of services related to land or field work, such as fencing, aerial spraying, pest control, forage conservation, and crop production.
Most agricultural contractor mobile operations services are seasonal, allowing a farm or farming operation to avoid storing expensive equipment that is only used for a few weeks or months out of the year. Mobile seed processors, for example, provide farmers with high-quality cleaning, gravity separation, and packaging in a variety of containers or bags. Seed testing is also offered some agricultural contractors, ensuring that only high-quality seed is distributed and planted. Using a farmer’s own raw materials as ingredients, mobile milling equipment produces high-quality, organic feed.
Contractors who provide livestock services work with any type of farm animal or process that involves farm animals. Whole flock management, livestock pregnancy scanning, foot trimming, and lambing are just a few of the services available. Sheep shearing and dipping, as well as livestock husbandry, are among the other services offered. When the livestock season is slow, some agricultural contractors in this area may do other types of agricultural contract work.
An agricultural contractor with a working knowledge of farming, farm equipment, and the various processes and associated with farm operation may work as part of a cooperative effort or as a self-employed freelance farm specialist. These experts can advise on a variety of topics, such as cultivating techniques, root crops, and the best types of farm equipment or processes for a given situation. Agricultural contractors are frequently affiliated with a larger cooperative or association.