Exchange operatives for farm attendants! (8)

I believe the answer is:

stockmen

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'farm attendants' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?

'exchange operatives' is the wordplay.
'exchange' becomes 'stock exchange' (stock exchange is a kind of exchange).
'operatives' becomes 'men' (I can't justify this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'stock'+'men'='STOCKMEN'

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app