Industry Code: 01203
This industry covers employers that breed and raise dairy cows and have milking operations to ensure maximum milk production. Typical responsibilities include feeding, milking of cows using milking equipment, monitoring the health of the cows, administering medication/vaccinations, maintaining facility sites (barns, pens etc.) and managing waste.
Some dairy farms process the milk on site, while others supply milk to dairy processing companies.
Employers in this industry may grow and harvest various forms of feed primarily for consumption by their cattle (as opposed to a farm dedicated to grain production).
Operation Details:
Dairy farming includes taking care of the cows devoting special attention to their health and wellbeing. This includes milking them at a specific time each morning and evening as well as addressing any health issues that may arise. In addition to milking chores, farmers must keep barns and pens clean as well as properly maintaining milking equipment.
Facilities and resources must be available to supply safe housing while maintaining consistent, timely and reliable delivery of feed and water.
Employers in this industry often grow and harvest feed (hay, grain etc.) for their cows and may maintain and repair their own equipment and buildings. They may also truck their own livestock and feed.
The equipment used is typical of any farm, encompassing a myriad of traditional farm machinery and often specialized equipment that may be needed for feeding. Smaller scale farms may not have the diversity of specialized equipment and will rely on manual labour to a greater extent.
Underwriting Considerations:
Farms that clear land for the express purposes of dairy farming, or cut timber or mill timber for the express purpose of building on the farm do not require additional industries. Such activities, when performed in support of the farm, are included in the dairy farming industry. Permits and licenses can be used to distinguish between farming related operations and commercial logging and milling.
Farm coverage also includes limited capital construction of farm buildings. However, the appropriate construction industry should be used with significant undertakings (involving foundations and/or general contractors to manage extensive projects such as large shops and dairy/hog barns). Farm coverage is not extended to construction or renovation of residences, even where they are located on the farm and are considered as the farm office - in these cases, a separate optional application under Industry 40405 - Residential General Contractor is required.
Dairy farming businesses may be involved in other business activities which are not integral to a traditional dairy farming operation. Farming businesses engaged in value added processing, custom or contract work, other than an exchange of services, will require an appropriate classification for such operations, separate from the dairy farming industry.
Employers involved in manufacturing or processing of dairy products are classified in Industry 10500 – Dairy/Fruit Juice Processing.
When determining if an additional classification is required, policy 07-01, part II should be reviewed.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Dairy Farms
Rate Group History:
In 2016, new rate groups were established to better define the various types of farming operations being conducted in Alberta. The Large Animal Producers/Handlers rate group encompasses industries that pertain to the farming of large animals.
Effective January 31, 2020, farm and ranch employers with six or more waged non-family workers can choose to have their workplace insurance coverage under the Workers’ Compensation Act or through a private insurance provider. Employers are not required to have workplace insurance if they have five or fewer non-family workers, or hire workers for less than six consecutive months.
This industry covers employers that breed and raise dairy cows and have milking operations to ensure maximum milk production. Typical responsibilities include feeding, milking of cows using milking equipment, monitoring the health of the cows, administering medication/vaccinations, maintaining facility sites (barns, pens etc.) and managing waste.
Some dairy farms process the milk on site, while others supply milk to dairy processing companies.
Employers in this industry may grow and harvest various forms of feed primarily for consumption by their cattle (as opposed to a farm dedicated to grain production).
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Dairy Farms
Operation Details:
Dairy farming includes taking care of the cows devoting special attention to their health and wellbeing. This includes milking them at a specific time each morning and evening as well as addressing any health issues that may arise. In addition to milking chores, farmers must keep barns and pens clean as well as properly maintaining milking equipment.
Facilities and resources must be available to supply safe housing while maintaining consistent, timely and reliable delivery of feed and water.
Employers in this industry often grow and harvest feed (hay, grain etc.) for their cows and may maintain and repair their own equipment and buildings. They may also truck their own livestock and feed.
The equipment used is typical of any farm, encompassing a myriad of traditional farm machinery and often specialized equipment that may be needed for feeding. Smaller scale farms may not have the diversity of specialized equipment and will rely on manual labour to a greater extent.
Underwriting Considerations:
Farms that clear land for the express purposes of dairy farming, or cut timber or mill timber for the express purpose of building on the farm do not require additional industries. Such activities, when performed in support of the farm, are included in the dairy farming industry. Permits and licenses can be used to distinguish between farming related operations and commercial logging and milling.
Farm coverage also includes limited capital construction of farm buildings. However, the appropriate construction industry should be used with significant undertakings (involving foundations and/or general contractors to manage extensive projects such as large shops and dairy/hog barns). Farm coverage is not extended to construction or renovation of residences, even where they are located on the farm and are considered as the farm office - in these cases, a separate optional application under Industry 40405 - Residential General Contractor is required.
Dairy farming businesses may be involved in other business activities which are not integral to a traditional dairy farming operation. Farming businesses engaged in value added processing, custom or contract work, other than an exchange of services, will require an appropriate classification for such operations, separate from the dairy farming industry.
Employers involved in manufacturing or processing of dairy products are classified in Industry 10500 – Dairy/Fruit Juice Processing.
When determining if an additional classification is required, policy 07-01, part II should be reviewed.
Rate Group History:
In 2016, new rate groups were established to better define the various types of farming operations being conducted in Alberta. The Large Animal Producers/Handlers rate group encompasses industries that pertain to the farming of large animals.
Effective January 31, 2020, farm and ranch employers with six or more waged non-family workers can choose to have their workplace insurance coverage under the Workers’ Compensation Act or through a private insurance provider. Employers are not required to have workplace insurance if they have five or fewer non-family workers, or hire workers for less than six consecutive months.