Canada is a fantastic place to work as a farmer, offering great opportunities for locals and Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) who want to work in farming. This article explores the charm of Canadian farms and the interesting lives of farm workers, sharing details about how much they earn and what dairy farmers do every day. If you’re an OFW searching for a fulfilling career, Canada’s fertile lands can give you a chance to grow, gain experience, and find a strong sense of purpose.
For many OFWs, the idea of working on Canadian farms is thrilling because it lets them be part of a successful agricultural industry. Canada’s huge and beautiful landscapes provide a perfect setting for farming, creating a caring environment for farmers and animals. As we learn more about how much farm workers earn, we’ll see the exciting opportunities that await those who are passionate about farming in Canada. We’ll also get a special look into the lives of dairy farmers, witnessing the love and dedication they put into caring for the land and animals, which contributes to the country’s abundant dairy products.
Disclaimer: The information posted here is based on the personal experiences shared by the OFW in the video below. Please let this post serve as a guide only. If you have specific questions, you may ask the OFW by commenting on their video on their accounts.
Unveiling Farming Salaries in Canada: A Guide for OFWs
The information presented in this article comes from a trending video on “Farm Worker Salary in Canada,” made through the YouTube channel Ferdz TV. In this video, the OFW vlogger talks about the salary of farm workers in Canada, as well as his life as a farmer in general. If you want to watch the full video, then you can click on the link below:
To be an effective dairy farm worker in Canada, the vlogger indirectly shares the following tips:
- Tip 1: Embrace Opportunities – Even with no prior experience, seize opportunities like working on a Canadian dairy farm.
- Tip 2: Be Willing to Learn – Show your willingness to learn and undergo rigorous training to succeed in your new role.
- Tip 3: Prepare for Relocation – Be ready to cross countries for new work experiences like the vlogger who came from Taiwan to Canada.
- Tip 4: Transition with Confidence – Transitioning to a new job on a farm can be challenging, but with determination, you can succeed in dairy farming.
- Tip 5: Focus on Training – Dedicate time and effort to the training process, which includes learning to carry cows and milk them.
- Tip 6: Understand Salary Expectations – Gain insights into salary ranges to determine if coming to Canada for dairy farming is worthwhile.
- Tip 7: Appreciate Technological Advancements – Observe and learn from modern dairy farm practices, such as using advanced machinery for milking.
- Tip 8: Take Responsibility – Embrace important responsibilities like “cow chasing” to ensure smooth operations and cow well-being.
- Tip 9: Be Attentive to Details – Pay close attention to gates and cow movements to prevent accidents and maintain farm efficiency.
- Tip 10: Overcome Language Barriers – Engage in self-study, like watching English movies and listening to podcasts, to improve language skills.
Despite having no prior experience in dairy farming, a group of determined individuals secured employment in Canada’s agricultural sector. Prompted by their willingness to learn, they underwent rigorous training upon arrival in the country, having journeyed all the way from Taiwan. Beginning their work on a farm, they soon transitioned to dairy farming, embarking on a transformative experience that tested their resilience and adaptability.
Their intensive training spanned a month without any days off, focusing on crucial tasks like handling cows and milking procedures. The vlogger documenting their journey offered an insider’s view of the farm, showcasing the impressive milk tank with a remarkable capacity of 28,000 liters, facilitated by an efficient machine that funneled all the milk into the tanks.
Currently, the vlogger is assigned the vital role of “cow chasing,” directing cows towards the milking area. They carefully inspect the gates, ensuring they are correctly positioned to prevent any escape or disruption. The vlogger’s vigilance is paramount, as cows straying onto highways could lead to fines for the farm. With four groups of cows, the vlogger skillfully manages their movements, orchestrating a synchronized process.
Despite language barriers, which primarily limit their interactions to cows, the vlogger continues to learn English through self-study, immersing themselves in English-language movies and podcasts. When the cows enter the rotary, the vlogger takes charge, closing the gate and facilitating the milking process as the cows walk towards the rotary independently.
This enthralling journey of novices in Canadian dairy farming exemplifies the power of determination and adaptability. As they navigate their daily duties and overcome language challenges, the vlogger’s transformation serves as a testament to the possibilities that await those who embrace new opportunities and persistently strive for personal growth in the agricultural realm.
Dairy Farming: A Repetitive but Rewarding Experience
- The dairy farm job may seem repetitive, but it can be overwhelming to some
- For the vlogger, earning more in Canada than in the Philippines makes the job worth while.
- Despite a comparatively lower salary among other Canadian workers, the vlogger is content as a non-professional.
- After milking, the vlogger takes pride in cleaning the area for the cows’ comfort.
- The milking process involves inserting tubes, wiping off mud, and applying betadine for sanitation.
- Milk goes through tanks, filters, and heating before being collected by a truck.
- The vlogger finds the dairy farm job rewarding, both personally and financially.
Working on a dairy farm may seem easy due to its repetitive nature, but some students have found themselves overwhelmed, shedding tears after just one day of work. However, for the vlogger, who used to earn a meager 350 pesos per day in the Philippines, this job is a remarkable opportunity. The prospect of earning a better income in Canada than back home makes this dairy farm worker position truly worthwhile for him.
Although compared to other workers in Canada, the salary may be considered low, the vlogger, being a non-professional, is content with his earnings. After the milking process, he takes pride in cleaning the area meticulously, ensuring a clean and comfortable resting place for the cows.
The milking procedure involves inserting tubes into the cows’ mammary glands, ensuring proper sanitation by wiping off mud and sand. Betadine is applied to prevent any potential infections. The secreted milk undergoes a thorough process, passing through tanks and filters before being heated and processed within main tanks. Ultimately, a truck arrives to collect the milk.
For the vlogger, this dairy farm job serves as an opportunity for personal and financial growth, far surpassing his previous earnings in the Philippines. Despite the repetitive nature of the work, the rewarding aspects of this profession make it a fulfilling experience for him.
Canada Salary
The decision to pursue a career in dairy farming in Canada can be both enticing and challenging. This article offers valuable insights from a vlogger’s perspective, shedding light on the financial aspects and accommodations, highlighting the deductions and net pay, and providing a comprehensive breakdown of the earnings that prospective dairy farm workers can anticipate. Let’s dive into the details:
Earning Potential:
The dairy farm job may appear repetitive, but for the vlogger, who used to earn a mere 350 pesos per day in the Philippines, this opportunity is undeniably attractive. While different provinces offer varying minimum wages, the vlogger’s salary in British Columbia stands at 16.75 Canadian dollars per hour. However, prospective dairy farmers should not be disheartened by this figure alone, as some employers offer wages above the minimum, ranging from 17 to 19 Canadian dollars per hour.
Accommodations and Benefits:
The vlogger’s unique package includes accommodation for only 120 CAD per month, which covers not only rent but also essential amenities and utilities. This arrangement has certainly added value to his decision to pursue dairy farming in Canada. On the other hand, his friend’s accommodation costs range from 750 to 1500 CAD per month, making it a significant consideration for prospective farm workers when evaluating overall earnings.
Work Hours and Overtime:
Working on average 40 hours per week or 80 hours every two weeks is common in the dairy farming industry. Overtime can positively impact earnings, resulting in a higher salary. It is essential for workers to adhere to overtime regulations to maximize their potential earnings.
Monthly Earnings Breakdown:
To better understand potential monthly earnings, let’s consider an example: a worker earning 16 CAD per hour, working 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for two weeks (80 hours). This individual would earn 1,280 CAD every two weeks, equivalent to 2,560 CAD per month. When converted to Philippine Pesos, this amount approximates around 106,000 pesos per month.
Deductions and Net Pay:
- Prospective dairy farm workers must factor in various deductions, including:
- CPP (Canadian Pension Plan) – 129 CAD
- EI (Employment Insurance) – 40.45 CAD
- Federal Tax – 342 CAD
- Provincial Tax – 106 CAD
- Loan Rent – 120 CAD
The vlogger’s total deductions amount to 737.45 CAD, resulting in a net pay of 1,822.55 CAD, which equates to approximately 75,000 pesos per month. The vlogger emphasized that loan rent might vary in different scenarios, underscoring the significance of evaluating individual deductions to make informed financial decisions.
Other Salary Examples
Evaluating Earning Potential:
Here are two examples of potential earnings for dairy farm workers in Canada:
- If your salary is 18 CAD per hour, working regular hours for two weeks will earn you 1,440 CAD, which translates to 2,800 CAD per month. In Philippine pesos, this amount is equivalent to around 116,000 pesos per month.
- On the other hand, the vlogger knows somebody who earns 23 CAD per hour. For two weeks of regular working hours, they earn 1,840 CAD, amounting to 3,680 CAD per month gross, approximately 152,000 pesos per month.
Accommodations and Net Pay Impact:
The accommodation expenses play a significant role in net pay:
- The person earning 18 CAD per hour pays a monthly house accommodation fee of 120 CAD, while the one earning 23 CAD per hour pays 1,500 CAD for accommodations each month.
- As a result, the net pay for the person earning 18 CAD per hour is 2,760 CAD per month, while the individual earning 23 CAD per hour receives a net pay of only 2,180 CAD per month.
Accommodation Options and Costs:
- The availability of 120 CAD accommodations depends on the specific job you are working on. Some farms provide accommodation within the premises, and the contract usually specifies the deduction for accommodations.
- However, others may require finding your own place to stay after the initial three months of free accommodation upon arrival. In such cases, a solo room can cost around 700 to 1200 CAD per month, which is a substantial expense.
Vlogger’s Actual Salary Breakdown:
The vlogger’s regular rate is 18 dollars per hour. Over a two-week period, he worked for 156.50 hours, resulting in a gross pay of 2,817.00 CAD. After deductions, his CPP deduction amounted to 152.26 CAD, EI to 44.51 CAD, and Tax to 472.90 CAD. There were no deductions for loan or rent in this particular two-week period. Consequently, the total withheld amount was 669.67 CAD, leading to a net pay of 2,147.33 CAD.
Flexibility and Benefits of the Job:
The vlogger highlights that he was fortunate to work 156.50 hours in two weeks, as some job offers may limit workers to only 80 hours per week. One of the perks of their job is that they get paid for all hours worked, even if certain unforeseen situations arise. For instance, if a machine breaks and needs repair or if they are waiting for a technician, they are still compensated for their time. Similarly, when a cow trips and needs assistance, they continue to be paid for those hours spent providing care.
Considering the salary examples, accommodations, and net pay, it becomes evident that various factors come into play when assessing the financial aspects of working as a dairy farmer in Canada. Prospective dairy farm workers must carefully weigh the salary package, accommodation options, and potential deductions before making an informed decision. The vlogger’s experience serves as a valuable reference for individuals seeking a fulfilling career in the dairy farming industry.