5 Things You Should Consider About Animal Breeder Jobs

Animal breeders are responsible for producing animals that may be used for a variety of purposes such as companionship, show, sport, or consumption.

Duties

Animal breeders use their knowledge of genetics and conformation to select breeding stock that will produce superior offspring. Successful animal breeders try to propagate valuable traits (for example high milk production in dairy cows) when planning their breedings.

The usual duties for animal breeders include facilitating breedings by live cover or artificial insemination, assisting with problem births, maintaining cages or enclosures, feeding, administering supplements or medications, treating minor injuries, and keeping detailed health and pedigree records. Animal breeders often work in conjunction withlarge animal, equine, or small animal veterinarians to maintain proper health of breeding stock and their offspring.

Breeders may also show their stock in a variety of judged breed shows and competitive events. Both companion animals and livestock breeds may gain additional value as breeding stock if they demonstrate their superiority on the show circuit. A dog that wins “best in show” at the famed Westminster show, for example, would command a very significant stud fee in the show dog breeding industry.

Career Options

Animal breeders can specialize in a wide variety of species, either for commercial production or companion/competition purposes. Some of the most popular areas of specialization involve producing dogs, cats, horses, cattle, goats, sheep, rabbits, fish, exotic birds, reptiles, or poultry.

Many breeders narrow their focus even further by becoming experts at producing one specific breed within their species of choice.

Breeders may further specialize within their breed of choice by selecting in favor of performance for a particular purpose. For example, some Quarter Horse breeders select for a body type that promotes speed and racing ability, while others select for another body type so that their foals will be able to compete successfully in halter show classes.

Animal breeders may be self-employed or work for a major commercial farm or producer. Both full time and part time positions are possible.

Education and Training

While no formal degree is required for a career as an animal breeder, many in the industry have degrees in areas such as animal science, animal reproduction, or biology. Coursework for such degrees generally includes the study of subjects such as anatomy, physiology, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, and behavior. Courses in marketing, communication, and technology are usually beneficial.

Experience with the species and breed being produced tends to be of paramount importance. This necessary experience can be gained by judging or competing in breed shows, working for major producers, or a formal course of study at the college level.

Depending on the species they work with, animal breeders may need to develop specialized skills with regard to utilizing artificial insemination or live cover breeding techniques.

Salary

The annual earnings of an animal breeder can vary widely based on the type and quality of animal they are producing, its intended use, the current value of such animals, and the breeder’s reputation in the industry.

SimplyHired.com cited an average salary of $39,000 for animal farming & breeding careers in January of 2012. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported similar results, finding that animal breeders earned a mean wage of $35,620 in 2010 (reflecting a mean hourly wage of $17.13). The highest mean salaries for animal breeders were found in Pennsylvania ($41,860), California ($40,990), Kentucky ($34,490), and Texas ($34,350).

Some animal breeders choose to work only part time while holding another full time “day job” in another industry. These part time breeders generally earn a significantly smaller income than full time participants, though this is not always the case.

Job Outlook

Slow but steady job growth in the field of animal breeding is expected, with more significant signs of growth likely in the livestock industry. Specialty breeders of performance animals (such as show dogs or horses) should also see continued growth in their segments of the industry.

Part time or “backyard” breeders will also continue to make a contribution to the industry while holding full time positions in other fields. The animal breeding industry is easily accessible as a part time endeavor, especially when the breeder is interested in becoming involved with the production of companion animal breeds.

Breeders are encouraged to use discretion when selecting animals for breeding purposes and to not allow inferior representatives of the species to contribute to the gene pool. Superior progeny will enhance an animal breeder’s reputation and ensure their continued success in their facet of the industry.

Aquaculture Farmer

Aquaculture farmers raise fish and shellfish for the purposes of consumption, population restocking, or for use as bait.

Duties

Aquaculture technicians are responsible for feeding the fish, restocking, performing tests to ensure water quality and temperature, checking the health of the population, notifying veterinarians of any health concerns, and properly cleaning and maintaining ponds or tanks.

Aquaculture managers are responsible for managing technicians and maintenance personnel while ensuring high standards of production.

Managers are concerned with various administrative tasks, business planning, financial management, and facility management.

Those working in the aquaculture industry must be prepared to work long irregular hours which may include some shifts on nights, weekends, and holidays. Work often occurs outdoors in varying weather conditions and may be physically demanding.

Career Options

Positions in aquaculture include technicians, water quality specialists, maintenance personnel, site managers, and production managers. Some of these jobs may be part-time or seasonal in nature, though more than half of all aquaculture jobs are full time positions.

Aquaculture farmers can own their own operation or find employment with a large commercial production facility. Many operations specialize in producing one specific type of fish (in the U.S., the most popular species being catfish, trout, bass, or tilapia) or shellfish. Aquaculture operations may supply fish for food, fishing bait, pond stocking, or aquariums.

Some small aquaculture producers operate a retail shop to sell their consumable fish products directly to consumers, but most fish produce travels down the commercial distribution chain through various processing facilities before reaching the end user in a retail setting.

Aquaculture personnel may also find positions as educators, especially if they hold an advanced degree in the field. Those with masters or PhD degrees may teach at the college level, conduct research studies, and publish their findings in scientific journals and industry trade publications. Other solid options in the field include aquaculture health sales or aquaculture feed product sales.

Education & Training

Most entry level aquaculture careers require candidates to at least hold a high school diploma or the equivalent. Upper level management positions in aquaculture generally require a bachelors or even a masters degree. There are many schools offering undergraduate or graduate studies in aquaculture and related fields.

Aquaculture related programs can be found at a number of large schools across the United States such as University of Maine, Mississippi State University, Louisiana State University, Texas A & M University, Virginia Institute of Marine Science, University of California, University of Washington, and University of Hawaii (just to name a few). TheWorld Aquaculture Society also maintains an extensive list of aquaculture programs worldwide.

Many students of aquaculture choose to seek an internship in the industry during their college years. During these internships students have the opportunity to assist with experiments designed to advance the productivity and growth of the species of fish or shellfish they are studying. Students also gain valuable hands-on experience that will later feature prominently on their resumes.

Those involved with aquaculture should have a good working knowledge of animal science, anatomy, physiology, biology, and production. Skills in business management,marketing, advertising, personnel management, and accounting may also prove useful to managers and farm operators.

Salary

Salaries in the aquaculture industry can vary widely based on the type of position, size of the operation, geographic location, and the employee’s prior experience in the industry.

SimplyHired.com cited the average salary for a fish farmer as $63,000 in late 2011. An aquaculture technician could earn about $35,000, while a director of a large commercial operation could earn over $150,000. As with most industries, those with specialized knowledge of specific facets of the industry will tend to earn higher salaries than the average.

Job Outlook

According to the SeaGrant program at the University of Connecticut, aquaculture is the fastest growing segment of the animal production industry. In fact, the aquaculture industry is credited with pulling in over $100 billion per year in sales worldwide. There are well over 4,000 aquaculture farms in the United States alone.

The latest United States Department of Agriculture Census of Aquaculture data indicate that while the number of trout and catfish farms declined slightly from 2002 to 2007, the number of farms producing all other food fish, bait fish, sport fish, ornamental fish, mollusks, and crustaceans increased across the board.

The Bureau of Labor and Statistics and other agencies point out that the number of positions in aquaculture may show a slight decline (despite the increase in overall farm production and consumption) due to the increasing mechanization of maintenance tasks.

Horse Breeder

Horse breeders produce and sell horses for a variety of purposes such as racing, showing, and pleasure riding.

Duties

Successful horse breeders are well versed in equine reproduction, behavior, and management. The duties of a horse breeder may include such responsibilities as facilitating breedings by live cover or artificial insemination, handling stallions, teasing mares, attending foalings, assisting with veterinary exams, keeping herd health records, and managing farm staff such as broodmare managers, stallion managers, and grooms.

Horse breeders in the Thoroughbred industry are only allowed to conduct live cover breedings due to restrictions imposed by the Jockey Club. Breeders working with other types of horses may need to develop proficiency with advanced reproductive techniques such as artificial insemination and embryo transfer, or employ individuals who have skill in such areas.

Breeders must work closely with equine veterinarians, nutritionists, farriers, and other industry professionals to provide complete care for the horses under their supervision. Small breeders may be required to work long hours in varying weather conditions and extreme temperatures, assisting with routine mucking and feeding duties. Breeders who own larger farms (and have a staff to handle the daily care of the horses) may not have the same responsibilities.

Breeders may also be involved with showing their stock in a variety of judged breed shows and competitive events to demonstrate their quality and enhance the value of related breeding stock.

Proven race and show stallions command high prices when they stand at stud, so it is to the breeder’s benefit to give their horses every chance to prove themselves in their area of sport.

Career Options

Horse breeders tend to specialize by focusing on the production of a single breed that interests them. Thoroughbreds, Arabians, and American Quarter Horses tend to be the most popular choices for breeding operations, though Warmbloods are becoming increasingly popular. Some breeders also specialize in producing and marketing horses for a specific purpose, such one intended for racing or show jumping.

Education & Training

While no specific degree or training is required to begin a career as a horse breeder, many in the industry do have a college degree in a field such as Animal Science, Equine Science, Equine Reproduction, or a related area. Schools such as U.C. Davis and Colorado State are known for having some of the top programs in the field of equine reproduction.

Coursework for these animal science related degrees generally includes the study of subjects such as anatomy, physiology, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, and behavior. Courses in marketing, communication, and technology are usually beneficial, as many horse breeders create their own advertising and web pages to promote their breeding program.

Most horse breeders have significant experience in the industry before they start their own breeding farm. Many start out as grooms or assistants and then rise to the management level before striking out on their own. There is no substitute for hands on experience in the horse industry.

Additionally, breeders must be familiar with the history and characteristics of the breed they intend to produce. Studying pedigrees and learning how to evaluate conformation are of particular importance.

Salary

A horse breeder’s salary can vary based on the type of horses they breed, the quality of their breeding stock, and the breeder’s reputation in the industry. High quality breeding animals (that have outstanding pedigree or performance records) produce foals that are in demand and bring top dollar when sold.

The salary a breeder earns is directly affected by which area of the equine industry they produce horses for. Top show prospects can sell for tens of thousands of dollars, while prospective racehorses can sell for millions of dollars if they have the right pedigree and conformation.

Horse breeders must also take into consideration the various costs of producing the foals that they sell. Hay, grain, bedding, veterinary care, hoof care, farm maintenance, farm vehicles, employee salaries, and insurance are just a few items that qualify as costs of doing business.

Job Outlook

The market for top horses was affected by recent economic setbacks, but seems to be rebounding. The Thoroughbred industry in particular seems to be showing signs of improvement based on rising prices at recent auctions, though profits are still nowhere near the impossibly high levels seen ten years ago.

Interest in the equine industry remains high, and many individuals seek to purchase their own animals for competition or pleasure riding. The horse breeding industry is expected to show slow but steady growth over the next decade.

Agricultural Extension Agent

Agricultural extension agents present information about industry advances that may positively impact local farmers and livestock producers.

Duties

Agricultural extension agents travel throughout their region or district to provide the latest industry information to farmers, ranchers, community groups, and youth groups. They may present information on scientific advances, farm management, marketing, production, and other topics that are relevant to agricultural businesses operating in their area.

Agents must be familiar with the types of agricultural operations that are taking place in their territory. These pursuits may include beef production, dairy farming, irrigated crop farming, fruit farming, egg production, horse breeding, swine production, and more. Agents must also be familiar with technical terminology, equipment, and other concerns related to each area of production.

Significant travel may be a part of the job, especially if the agent is assigned a large territory. Agents may visit farms, ranches, hatcheries, dairies, stables, orchards, fields, bee farms, aquaculture facilities, and a variety of other agricultural business locations during the course of their day. Agents may also be required to attend a variety of community activities such as conventions, fairs, college events, camps, and 4-H shows.

Agricultural extension agents may be required to work evenings and weekends as their situation demands, though many agents are able to work normal day shift hours. Work for this position may take place both indoors and outdoors, so agents must be prepared to deal with changing weather conditions and temperature extremes.

Agents must also exercise due caution when working around large animals in the field. Taking proper safety precautions can prevent potentially serious injuries from occurring. A solid knowledge of animal behavior can be invaluable for those agents who liaise with animal producers.

Career Options

There are many employers that hire agricultural extension agents, though they are usually affiliated with government agencies at the federal, state, or local levels. Agricultural extension agents may also find employment with land-grant universities, research organizations, and community education groups. Some agents also teach courses through their university or community college.

After working as a field agent, agricultural extension personnel may advance to positions of more responsibility such as multi-county positions, directorships, or program leadership roles. Some extension agents also become involved with 4-H programs and other youth organizations by taking a supervisory role.

Education & Training

Aspiring agricultural extension agents must complete significant educational requirements to even be considered for a position. An entry level position in the field of agricultural extension requires a Bachelor’s degree at minimum. Master’s degrees are preferred for many positions and greatly enhance an applicant’s resume.

The degree that an extension agent holds may be in one of many areas including education, agriculture, animal science, or other related fields. Coursework that provides training in communications, technology, public relations, agricultural marketing, mathematics, and life sciences prepares the aspiring extension agent well for this career path. New agricultural extension agents generally complete additional training courses once they are hired before they begin their field work.

Agricultural extension agents may also join a variety of national and local professional membership groups. The National Association of County Agricultural Agents (NACAA)and the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents (NAE4HA) are two such groups that may provide valuable information, education, and industry contacts.

Salary

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service, the average salary for extension agents holding a Bachelor’s degree was $44,293 in December 2010. Extension agents holding a Master’s degree averaged $57,889 in 2010. Those holding a PhD degree fared the best with an average salary of $69,375.

Of course, starting salaries for new agents are markedly lower. In Kentucky, for example, new extension agents with a Bachelor’s degree and no work experience start out at a base salary rate of $32,000. Those with a Master’s degree and no work experience start out at a base salary rate of $36,000. In North Carolina, new extension agents started out at a similar salary of $32,807 with a Bachelor’s degree and a salary of $38,124 if they held a Master’s degree.

Career Outlook

The agricultural extension agent career path should remain a solid option for those candidates who have a background in farming or production and the skill to educate professionals in the industry. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), job growth for agricultural positions should be about as fast as the average for all careers from 2008 to 2018.

Individuals with advanced degrees, such as a Master’s or PhD, will continue to have the best opportunities for advancement in the field.

A Career as a Beef Cattle Farmer

Beef cattle farmers are responsible for the daily care and management of cattle raised for beef production.

Duties

The duties of a beef farmer may include feeding, administering medication, maintaining facilities, monitoring the herd for signs of illness, assisting with calving, performing artificial insemination, and managing waste. They also may be responsible for marketing their animals, transporting sales stock, baling hay or harvesting other forage for use as feed, maintaining farm equipment, and maintaining facilities.

Beef cattle farmers work in with large animal veterinarians to maintain the health of their cattle through vaccination and medication protocols. They may also rely on advice fromanimal nutritionists and livestock feed sales representatives to create balanced rations for their herd.

Beef cattle farmers may also benefit from having personnel management experience, as most commercial farms have employees to manage and direct. Even smaller family cow-calf operations may hire outside help when needed. Farm managers must be able to schedule employee shifts, address employee concerns, and oversee the day to day activities on the farm.

As is the case with many livestock careers, a beef cattle farmer may work long hours. It is not uncommon for cattle farmers to work weekend, evening, or holiday shifts. The work many involve working in extreme temperatures and varying weather conditions. It is also important that cattle farmers take safety precautions when working with these large and potentially dangerous animals.

Career Options

Beef cattle farmers may operate as commercial feedlot beef producers or as cow-calf operations. Feedlot producers are involved with raising beef cattle to market weight and usually purchase their cattle as weanlings instead of breeding their own stock. Cow-calf operations breed and raise their own cattle, often for resale at weaning age to commercial stockyards or feed lots.

The United States is the world’s largest producer of beef. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, most beef cattle farmers operate in the southern portion of the U.S., chiefly in the Southeast and Southern Plains (especially Texas), since the extended grazing season reduces feed costs.

Education & Training

Most beef cattle farmers have a high school diploma, though an increasing number holdcollege degrees in animal science, agriculture, or a closely related field. Coursework for such degrees generally includes animal science, beef production, meat science, anatomy, physiology, reproduction, genetics, nutrition, ration formulation, crop science, farm management, technology, business, and agricultural marketing.

Many future beef cattle farmers get their start by participating in youth programs such as Future Farmers of America (FFA) or 4-H clubs, where they have the opportunity to handle a variety of farm animals and participate in livestock shows. Others grow up on family cattle farms and gain hands on experience working with stock there.

Beef cattle farmers may find additional educational and networking opportunities through professional organizations such as the National Cattleman’s Beef Association, the Beef Improvement Federation, the American Angus Association, the American Hereford Association, Beefmaster Breeders Universal, the American International Charolais Association, or the American Simmental Association.

Salary

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) salary survey indicates that farm and ranch managers earned a median wage of $60,750 annually ($29.21 hourly) in May of 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $29,280 and the highest 10 percent earned more than $106,980. Income can vary widely based on the costs of feed, varying weather conditions, and the sale price of beef at market.

A 2012 survey by the United States Department of Agriculture’s Economic Research Service (USDA/ERS) estimated that profitability per cow will increase significantly over the long term, rising from a current average profit of $96.11 per cow in 2012 to a $252.98 per cow profit in 2021.

Beef cattle farmers must factor in several expenses when calculating their salary for the year. These expenses include the costs of feed, fuel, supplies, labor, insurance, veterinary services, waste removal, and equipment maintenance or replacement.

Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics survey predicts that there will be a slight decline in the number of job opportunities for farm and ranch managers. This trend is in line with the move towards consolidation in the industry, as small producers are increasingly being absorbed by large commercial operations.

The beef production industry has shown continued strength over the past decade in the U.S., with revenues rising from $60 billion in 2002 to $74 billion in 2010. Long range forecasts from the USDA, released in February of 2012, project that the total number of beef cattle will rise from 30 million in 2012 to more than 34 million in 2021.

Beef Cattle Herdsman - Career Profile

A beef cattle herdsman is responsible for the daily care and management of the cattle under their supervision.

Duties

A beef cattle herdsman is tasked with all aspects of maintaining the health of the cattle kept at their facility.  Their duties generally include giving vaccinations, deworming, tagging or branding, feeding, calving, performing artificial inseminations, trimming hooves, keeping detailed health and production records, and working closely with the veterinarian.

  Computer skills are a plus, since many farms have developed databases and spreadsheets to track their herd performance statistics.

The herdsman may also be involved with supervising other farm employees and staff members, ensuring that all tasks are completed properly.  Additional duties may include transporting animals by trailer, assisting with marketing, raising hay or other forage crops, performing routine farm maintenance tasks, maintaining pastures, and handling any additional duties as assigned by the farm owner or manager.

A beef cattle herdsman is usually on call for any emergencies and must work some evenings, weekends, and holidays.  Work hours may be greatly increased during particular seasons, so a candidate should have some flexibility to allow for that variation.  Candidates for this role should also be prepared to work outdoors in widely varying weather and temperature conditions.

Career Options

A beef cattle herdsman can work in many related positions such as beef cattle farmer,ranch manager, beef extension agent, artificial insemination technician, or meat inspector.

  They can also transition into positions in the dairy industry (such as dairy herdsman or dairy inspector), cattle product sales, livestock feed sales, veterinary pharmaceutical sales, or other livestock career paths.

Education and Training

Educational requirements for beef cattle herdsmen can vary from one job posting to the next, but many employers prefer a degree in Animal Science (or a related field).  Many will also consider hiring someone with a high school diploma combined with significant practical experience working with cattle.  Herdsmen should have a solid knowledge of anatomy and physiology, reproduction, pedigrees, artificial breeding techniques, calving, milk production, basic veterinary care, and the nutritional requirements of cattle in different stages of production.  Many professionals start on the path to becoming a herdsman by first working as farm staff members or assistant herdsmen.

Some beef cattle farms also require their management staff to hold CDL driver’s licenses for driving tractor trailers (to pick up and drop off cattle from auctions, stockyards, and processing facilities).  Herdsmen also tend to operate many different pieces of farm equipment including tractors, trucks, and manure spreaders.

There are also many beef internship programs that can provide valuable hands-on experience and develop the skills that will prepare a candidate to become an integral part of the beef cattle management team.  A background in cattle showing or judging can also be helpful in developing cattle management and evaluation skills.

Salary

Most U.S. beef cattle herdsman job postings reviewed in early 2015 had salaries that ranged from $30,000 to $50,000.  Survey data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) revealed that the median pay for the category of farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers was $69,000 per year (though this includes many lucrative management roles for other agricultural careers and does not offer individual salary information for beef herdsmen).

Beef herdsman positions often have a variety of associated fringe benefits in addition to the standard salary package.  Additional benefits often include free housing and utilities provided on the farm, the use of a farm truck, health insurance, paid holidays, performance bonuses, and paid vacation time.

Career Outlook

According to the surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers will decline somewhat over the decade from 2012 to 2022.  The decline may not be so sharp for the niche of beef herdsmen, since the beef market has shown strength in recent years.  Beef herdsmen can also move into other agricultural roles, making use of their transferable skills.