Dairy Nutritionist

A dairy nutritionist develops feeding programs and monitors the condition of dairy cattle to ensure that production goals are met.

Duties

Dairy nutritionists are directly involved with the dietary management of dairy cattle herds.  The ultimate goal of a dairy nutritionist is to maximize production while maintaining overall herd health. 

Dairy nutritionists may be involved with a number of tasks including formulating diets, analyzing lab samples, sourcing feed ingredients, selecting cost effective ingredients, adjusting rations, selecting supplements, keeping detailed records, writing reports, marketing products, giving presentations to customers, and using body condition scoring to evaluate the condition of each animal in the herd.

They must work closely with the bovine veterinarian and other members of the farm management team (especially the dairy herdsman) in the field to ensure that animals are closely monitored and meeting all milk production goals.  They must also spend a significant amount of time in an office setting, inputting data into analytical software programs to track the herd’s progress.  Travel may also be necessary to visit clients, particularly if a nutritionist is an independent contractor or working for a feed development company.

Career Options

Dairy nutritionists can work on dairy farms, in livestock management positions, in feed development facilities, in academia, or in marketing roles interacting directly with dairy producers.  They can also branch out and work in animal nutritionist positions with other species.

Dairy nutritionists can seek full-time salaried positions with major farms and companies, or they may work on a contract basis as an independent consultant (either full or part time).

 

Education & Training

Most advertised positions in the field of dairy nutrition specify that employers prefer to consider candidates with a Masters or doctoral degree in dairy science, animal science, or a closely related area.  Significant experience working with dairy cattle is also a key factor, as is a solid knowledge of body condition scoring and bovine behavior.

In the modern era, a dairy nutritionist is expected to be familiar with the use of dairy nutrition software programs, which have become increasingly important for nutritional management and ration balancing.  They must also be comfortable performing mathematical calculations and interpreting laboratory reports.

Aspiring dairy nutritionists can also gain a great deal of experience by completing internships such as those listed on our animal nutrition internship and dairy internshippages.  The hands on experience that a candidate gains during such internships tends to be highly valued by employers.

Salary

The specific salary that a dairy nutritionist earns can vary widely based on a candidate’s type of employment (salaried employee or independent consultant), level of education, level of experience in the industry, and the going rate in their particular geographic area.  Those with significant experience and education will tend to earn top dollar for their services.

Dairy nutritionists employed by major feed companies can earn up to $150,000 per year, though the range for the broader category of all dairy nutritionists would be in the $50000 to $100,000 range.  Starting salaries can of course be much lower for new graduates.  A 2013 study by Iowa State University, cited in Hoards Dairyman magazine, found that recent graduates in the feed and nutrition field earned an average salary of $42,611 per year (ranging from a low of $34,000 per year to a high of $52,000 per year).

Dairy nutritionists also may receive various fringe benefits in addition to their base salary.  These benefits may include commission (if working in the feed sales industry), a company phone, use of a company vehicle, health insurance, housing (if working full time on a dairy farm), and paid vacation.

Career Outlook

Both dairy and feed industries are showing growth, so the outlook for dairy nutritionists remains strong for the foreseeable future.  The nutritionist career path allows the practitioner to transition readily from working with one species to another, particularly within the livestock management field, so options for changing the direction of a career can be plentiful.  Those with the greatest level of education and experience will be positioned to enjoy the best prospects for employment in this field.

Career Overview of Artificial Insemination Technician

Artificial insemination technicians are responsible for assisting with the breeding of livestock species.

Duties

The primary duty for an artificial insemination technician is to inseminate livestock in hopes of successfully impregnating the animals, but they may have many additional related responsibilities.  Technicians must carefully monitor the heat cycles of female animals to determine the optimal time to inseminate (based on the animal’s ovulation cycle and behavior).

  They also must carefully handle and thaw the straws of frozen semen that have been kept in liquid nitrogen storage.  The insemination must be performed with both speed and accuracy to ensure that the animal has the best chance to become pregnant on a single service.

Additional duties may include cleaning and maintaining breeding equipment, keeping careful records of each insemination that is performed, and giving advice to breeders regarding industry trends in sire selection and reproductive techniques.  They also must be able to work closely with large animal veterinarians, animal breeders, and support staff to ensure that the breeding process runs smoothly and with minimal stress to the animals involved.

Artificial insemination technicians must use caution as they routinely interact with liquid nitrogen refrigeration systems.  The duties for this position are generally conducted outdoors or in barns, so the technician may be regularly exposed to varying temperatures and changing weather conditions.

  It is also important that proper safety precautions are followed while working with large animals to minimize the chance of injury to the technician, as these animals may react unpredictably due to the stress of being caught and restrained for the breeding process.

Career Options

Most positions in this field are found in the dairy cattle or swine industries, which rely heavily on artificial insemination for propagating their herds.  A.I. techs may also specialize in doing reproductive work with horses, sheep, or beef cattle.  Those interested in working in the equine industry should note that the Thoroughbred breeding industry specifically prohibits the use of artificial insemination, so work in that specific niche is not possible for A.I. techs.

While most A.I. technicians work in the field (for breeding farms), some may be involved with conducting scientific research or working in academia.

Education & Training

Artificial insemination technicians must have a high school degree at minimum, but many technicians hold a degree in an animal related field such as animal science, dairy science, or biology.  Some are also licensed veterinary technicians.  There are a variety of training programs available to those hoping to work in this field, with these courses offered either by national breeding associations or companies who market frozen semen for the livestock industry.

It is important that technicians have an excellent knowledge of reproductive anatomy and physiology, animal behavior, and artificial insemination techniques.  Technicians should also be very familiar with the sire lines and pedigrees of the breed in which they work, in case their clients wish to discuss their options.

Communication skills are particularly important, as the technician must interact with the veterinarian daily to determine which animals to breed and which have successfully become pregnant.  Computer skills are also a big plus for a tech’s skills set, as many facilities now use computerized databases to maintain and update their records.

Salary

The salary for an artificial insemination technician can vary widely and depends on a variety of factors such as the technician’s level of education, years of experience, success rate, and the specific industry in which they are employed.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not track salary data separately for artificial insemination technicians but instead includes them in the more general category of animal breeders.  The BLS salary survey found that in May of 2012 the mean hourly wage for those in the category of animal breeders was $37,230 per year ($17.90 per hour).  The bottom 10 percent of animal breeders earned less than $18,110 per year ($8.71 per hour), while the highest 10 percent of animal breeders earned more than $59,340 per year ($28.53 per hour).

The states with the highest annual mean wage for animal breeders include Michigan ($54,110), Wisconsin ($45,690), California ($43,510), New York ($39,950), and Indiana ($33,430).

Career Options

Reproductive technology is an increasingly important part of the animal breeding industry, and the demand for artificial insemination technicians should continue to rise for the foreseeable future.  Candidates with extensive practical experience should have the best prospects of securing employment in the field.

Meat Inspector

Meat inspectors are responsible for inspecting meat products to ensure that they comply with the strict regulations that govern food safety.

Duties

Meat inspectors ensure that meat products are produced in compliance with government standards for food safety and quality. Live animals, carcasses, and organs may be examined during this process to ensure that meat products are safe to eat and that they are free from contamination.

Meat inspectors examine carcasses closely for signs of disease and consult withveterinarians or lab technicians to conduct additional testing if a problem is suspected. Tissue samples are also sent out for evaluation in a laboratory on a regular basis to be sure that no drug residues are present that would make the product unfit for human consumption.

Meat inspectors are also charged with regularly inspecting the facilities and equipment used in slaughtering and meat processing operations. The facility is inspected before opening each morning, and inspections continue periodically throughout the day to ensure that strict sanitation requirements are maintained. In the event that any unsanitary conditions are detected an inspector has the ability (and responsibility) to shut down production at the plant until the issues are resolved.

Additional routine duties for meat inspectors include ensuring that meat labels are accurate, checking to see that any preparation instructions intended for consumer use are correct, and ensuring that all products are stored and transported under proper conditions.

Meat inspectors must take care to follow proper safety precautions when working with live animals. They may also be required to stand for long periods of time while carrying out inspections and it may be necessary for an inspector to handle heavy carcasses or boxes of product. Inspections may be conducted in the noisy processing environment or in the frigid meat cooler, so the inspector may be exposed to widely varying conditions during the course of their average work day. A portion of each day is usually set aside for completion of paperwork and other documentation in an office setting.

Career Options

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the majority of all agricultural inspector positions tend to be found with either federal or state government agencies. The states that offered the highest number of agricultural inspector positions during the most recent survey of 2012 were California (1,880 jobs), Virginia (700 jobs), Florida (690 jobs), Texas (650 jobs), and Washington (590 jobs). As one would expect, meat inspector positions are usually located in areas with a high concentration of animal processing facilities and stockyards.

Meat inspectors may readily transition to a variety of other animal enforcement positions, including animal health inspector and wildlife inspector roles. Those with a veterinary degree may choose to return to private practice.

Education & Training

Most meat inspector positions with the federal or state government require the completion of at least a two year Associates degree. Coursework in agriculture, animal science, livestock production, meat evaluation, anatomy, physiology, biology, and other related areas tends to prove particularly useful for those in this profession. Some meat inspectors may have a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree, though this is not necessary for entry level positions.

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) includes meat inspector salary data as a part of the more general category of agricultural inspectors and does not offer meat inspector salary in a separate category. During the most recent salary survey conducted in May of 2012, the mean annual wage for all agricultural inspectors was $42,460 per year ($20.41 per hour). The bottom ten percent of agricultural inspectors earned less than $24,640 per year, while the highest ten percent of agricultural inspectors earned more than $61,680 per year.

Meat inspectors with significant education (such as those who have achieved a DVM or other advanced degree), those that have many years of experience, or those who have attained a managerial or supervisory role will have the best chance of earning top dollarin this field. New inspectors can expect to earn salaries on the lower end of the spectrum until they gain practical experience.

Career Outlook

The livestock industry has shown strength in recent years and demand for meat products from both domestic and international markets has been strong, resulting in strong revenues from meat and poultry products. The need for inspectors should mirror this pattern of growth, as government oversight is required to ensure that all products intended for human consumption are produced, packaged, and transported in accordance with health and safety regulations.

Dairy Inspector

Dairy inspectors ensure that dairy farms comply with government standards related to facility sanitation and herd health.

Duties

Dairy inspectors conduct inspections to ensure that dairy farms adhere to various regulatory and food safety requirements.  Inspectors are usually assigned to a specific territory, conducting unannounced inspections of each farm every six months (the federal Pasteurized Milk Ordinance requires that Grade A dairy farms be inspected twice yearly).

Dairy inspectors review the entire facility during the course of their visit.  They check the cleanliness of the milking parlor equipment, examine the health of the dairy herd, and collect milk and water samples for evaluation.  They also issue licenses to milk producers, document and issue fines for any violations, and give recommendations to facility managers to improve biosecurity and reduce the incidence of disease.  At the conclusion of the inspection, the dairy inspector is responsible for compiling a comprehensive report that details the conditions at the facility.

Dairy inspectors must travel extensively throughout their designated territory to investigate many dairy facilities.  The nature of an investigational animal career often requires that the inspector be available to work some evening, weekend, and holiday hours as necessary.

Career Options

Dairy inspectors can work for government agencies in the United States and abroad.  Both full and part time positions may be available.

  Dairy inspectors may also find regulatory employment in a closely related career path such as animal health inspector.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the majority of agricultural inspector positions are with federal government (24 percent) and state government (22 percent) agencies.   The states offering the highest number of positions in this field are California (1,600 jobs), Texas (890 jobs), and Florida (660 jobs).

Outside of regulatory roles, inspectors can also transition into a variety of dairy related career paths such as dairy farm owner or manager, nutritionist, agricultural extension agent, or bovine veterinarian.

Education & Training

Educational requirements for dairy inspectors may vary from one state to the next, but a B.S. degree in an animal related field is generally preferred.  Dairy science is a popular major for those planning to pursue this career path.

Dairy science majors must complete coursework in areas such as anatomy and physiology, genetics, reproduction, nutrition, behavior, dairy production, herd management, physiology of lactation, livestock evaluation, agricultural marketing, and business management.  Many programs include a significant amount of hands-on experience and require completion of bovine internships. 

Aspiring inspectors should also have some degree of hands on experience with dairy herd management, milking equipment, manufacturing procedures, and quality control measures.  They must also become familiar with a variety of local, state, and federal regulations related to their inspection duties. 

Dairy inspector certification requirements vary by state.  California, for example, requires a written and oral exam for a candidate to become a Registered Dairy Inspector.  After passing the exam, the inspector can be licensed to perform regulatory duties in their state.

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not collect salary data for the category of dairy inspectors but does include them in the more general category of agricultural inspectors.  Agricultural inspectors reported a median wage of $42,680 per year ($20.52 per hour) in the most recent BLS salary survey conducted in May of 2013.  The lowest 10 percent of agricultural inspectors earned less than $25,540 per year ($12.28 per hour) and the highest 10 percent of agricultural inspectors earned more than $63,150 per year ($39.36 per hour).

A California dairy inspector job posting from mid-2014 (in Sonoma) quoted an annual salary of $62,572 to $76,055 ($29.98 to $36.44 hourly).  This number is slightly higher than the expected average salary range for the position, possibly due to the higher cost of living in that particular area.

Career Outlook

The need for dairy inspectors should remain fairly steady over the next decade.  Qualified candidates with a combination of education and hands on experience will continue to enjoy the best prospects in the field.

Livestock Auctioneer Career Profile

Livestock auctioneers facilitate the sale of animals at public auction.

Duties

Livestock auctioneers stand on the auction block in the sales ring, facing the bidders in the audience. They point out any particularly desirable qualities that an individual animal may have, and they mention general information like pedigree, age, and breeder. They begin to chant the asking price, raising the bids in regular increments as they look around the sales area and receive bids from interested parties.

Spotting bids, either directly from the crowd or through signals from professional bid spotters (a.k.a. ringmen), is a critical part of this job since bidders may give very subtle signals that they wish to raise their bids. At the conclusion of bidding, the auctioneer bangs the gavel and declares an animal sold.

 

Additional duties for a livestock auctioneer include assigning lot numbers to animals, tagging or marking animals for identification in the sale ring, and completing a variety of administrative tasks in the office to ensure that all paperwork and health records are in order for the animals being presented.

Livestock auctioneers must have a strong sense of ethics, be able to control the crowd, and maintain their focus in an often chaotic environment.

Career Options

Livestock auctioneers may specialize in working with one particular type of animal (cattle, sheep, pigs) or work with a variety of livestock species.

 

Some livestock auctioneers have additional areas of expertise such as hosting auctions for real estate, automobiles, or personal property.

Auctioneering skills, once learned, may be used to sell a wide variety of items.  They may also go on to become livestock appraisers.

Education & Training

Livestock auctioneers must be licensed if their state mandates it. More than half of states in the U.S. require livestock auctioneers to be licensed, and some of those states have continuing education requirements for maintaining a valid license. In order to apply for a license, a candidate must be at least 18 years old, have a high school diploma or a G.E.D, and pass a criminal background check. The licensing process usually involves passing an exam, paying a licensing fee, and securing a surety bond.

 

Most aspiring auctioneers either attend auctioneering school or take an apprenticeship with an established auctioneer to learn the ropes. Auctioneering school programs can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months to complete. These schools teach auction chanting, public speaking, marketing, legal considerations, and ethics. They also have students participate in practical drills to simulate the auction experience. Other candidates forego the school route and gain experience as an apprentice auctioneer, working under the supervision and guidance of an experienced professional. Whether they pursue school or an apprenticeship, the candidate must learn to chant with speed and rhythm so that they can elicit the maximum number of bids in the shortest amount of time.

The National Auctioneers Association (NAA) is a professional membership group that offers a variety of certification programs including the prestigious Certified Auctioneers Institute (CAI) designation. The CAI certification process occurs over a three year period, with auctioneers participating in a week of intensive training each March. Continuing education credits are required to maintain the CAI designation.

Livestock auctioneers often participate in competitive events to keep their skills sharp and test their abilities against other professionals. The Livestock Marketing Association hosts the annual World Livestock Auctioneer Championship, one of the best known competitive auctioneering events. There are also many regional and local competitions for livestock auctioneering.

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not collect information on auctioneers in its salary surveys, but the National Auctioneers Association reports that salary can vary widely due to the commission-based nature of compensation. Auctioneers can expect to earn 10 to 15 percent commission on their sales, plus bonuses in some cases. Pay can therefore vary widely based on the number of auctions worked, the volume and dollar amount of sales, the geographic location where the auction is held, and the auctioneer’s reputation and experience.

 

According to SalaryExpert.com, the pay for livestock auctioneers ranged from $45,000 to $75,000 in major cities in 2013. The highest salaries were found in Chicago, New York, Houston, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Payscale.com found that the median salary for auctioneers was $42,947 in 2013. The lowest compensated auctioneers earned about $24,318 per year, while the highest compensated auctioneers earned about $91,916 per year.

Career Options

The livestock industry continues to show growth, and prices for milk and meat have steadily increased in recent years. The demand for livestock auctioneers should be fairly strong to accommodate the growing livestock market.