The United States livestock industry is a vast sector that helps with consumer goods, entertainment, labor services, and food production!
They play a significant role in the national economy and offer excellent job chances for individuals with training in animal science, regardless of gender. Remember that the range of opportunities in agriculture varies considerably based on the specialty of your degree.
Nonetheless, degrees focused on agriculture offer a distinct range of employment options. Thus, if you enjoy dealing with animals and are interested in the necessary goods and services that livestock provides, there are various employment options to consider!
We’ve compiled a list of thirteen in-demand careers in the United States livestock industry to inspire you. Read on!
1. Animal Breeder
To promote particular genetic features, animal breeders in the livestock sector rear and breed animals.
After reviewing the genetic background of their animals, they choose which to breed to produce children with particular traits, like thick wool or a high milk yield.
Animal breeders also supervise and care for pregnant animals to ensure safe births. They schedule visits with livestock vets, raise cattle, and keep genetic records.
2. Ranch Hand
Ranch hands manage the daily upkeep of the ranch’s animals. They maintain animal hygiene, replenish feed and water troughs, clean animal stalls, and help with herding.
In addition, ranch hands perform upkeep duties, including fixing fences and machinery, clearing brush off trails, bailing hay, dousing fields with fertilizer, and watering crops.
Ranch personnel frequently patrol the grounds on horseback to monitor the land and maintain the pathways.
3. Animal Care Technician
Animal care technicians in the livestock business can work at ranches, dairy farms, rodeos, and livestock shows to maintain a clean and safe environment for animals.
They keep feeding schedules, clean stall enclosures, transport trailers, and decide on each animal’s proper nutrition. After branding, animal care technicians can monitor the animals to avoid infection and clean the equipment used to care for them.
They also spot any possible health problems and keep track of all the feeding, medicine, milking, shearing, and other care procedures.
4. Ranch Manager
Professionals who handle farm operations are known as ranch managers. They manage the hiring and training of farm employees, monitor the health and welfare of the animals, and determine the needs for livestock care and treatment.
They also track ranch supplies and arrange the buying and selling of animals and their byproducts. Ranch managers ride horses or tractors around their ranch to observe how cattle, sheep, hogs, and other livestock behave.
In addition, they oversee the building and upkeep of the ranch’s buildings, including the sheds, barns, and fences.
5. Barn Manager
Barn managers coordinate the management and care of horses in a barn. This includes supervising riding instruction, employing and educating equestrian instructors, and running boarding programs.
Barn managers also place inventory orders, keep the stable in good condition, and arrange for the horses’ veterinary check-ups. They supervise the grooming, feeding, and exercise of every horse in the barn.
In addition, they maintain the building, schedule workers, and update barn records.
6. Herd Manager
Sheep, pigs, goats, and cattle fall under the purview of herd managers. They constantly keep track of their herd, figuring out where each animal sleeps, tallying the animals, keeping an eye out for any predators, and locating supplies of food and water for their animals.
Herd managers regularly examine the herd for symptoms of illness, injuries, or behavioral problems. They also track the herd’s milk, wool, and other products generated to determine any factors impacting output.
7. Feed Mill Manager
A feed mill manager oversees the daily operations of a business that makes animal feed. They design processes and frameworks to transform feed components into a reliable finished good.
In addition to creating schedules for the factory staff, maintaining manufacturing equipment, tracking production records, and distributing feed products to customers, feed mill managers also ensure that quality assurance criteria are met.
8. Livestock Veterinarian
Veterinary specialists who focus on treating farm animals are known as livestock veterinarians. They provide medical care for illnesses, injuries, and medical issues for large animals like horses and cows.
They specialize in treating sick animals and evaluating the health of a herd and frequently visit ranches and farms. In addition to creating treatment plans, they do tests, check vital signs, and give prescriptions.
9. Food Safety Specialist
Food technologists, often known as food safety inspectors, guarantee the quality of the finished product. They keep the meatpacking area clean and supervise the plant inspection before and during livestock killing.
The inspector of food safety searches commercial and private slaughterhouses and packing operations for contamination, malnourished meat, and inferior-quality meat.
They also assist in establishing best practices and making sure the plant complies with health and safety regulations.
10. Livestock Transportation Manager
A livestock transportation manager ensures that animals are transported to and from factories and farms. Proficiency in driving and familiarity with transportation equipment are prerequisites for this position.
They assist with loading and unloading the livestock and ensure they arrive promptly and safely at their destination. Transportation managers may also maintain delivery records and document mishaps, flaws, or infractions of the law.
11. Feed Sales Representative
A professional in the cattle business who sells feed and other food items to private and commercial farms and farming stores is known as a feed sales agent.
A feed sales representative typically knows cattle nutrition, farming, proper feeding techniques, and their company’s product line.
They can collaborate with clients and have excellent communication abilities. In addition to maintaining customer ties, a feed salesperson seeks to expand their client base.
12. Bovine IVF Embryologist
An expert in the cattle business who manages animal embryo fertilization is a bovine IVF embryologist.
Some of their specialized tasks include handling semen and embryo samples, getting animals ready for in vitro fertilization, setting up and analyzing DNA cultures, and assessing oocyte maturation.
IVF embryologists who work with cows are also in charge of data entry, record-keeping, and shipment. They may collaborate with an animal health diagnostic laboratory or work closely with a veterinarian.
13. Agricultural Engineer
The design of machinery, buildings, and farming systems for the agricultural industries is known as agricultural engineering.
As an agricultural engineer, you can create everything from aquaculture systems to grain storage facilities and new harvesting implements. Part of your responsibilities includes extensively using CAD design tools.
Project management for agriculture is also expected of you. Agricultural engineers may collaborate with a group to guarantee project completion on schedule.
You also need to be able to fix issues with food production and equipment malfunctions.
How to Start a Livestock Farming Business
Livestock farming is a hobby anyone may begin in their backyard if they have any space there. If not, then you can hire a space for farming!
Cattle, poultry, pigs, catfish, and sheep are a few of the primary potential commodities in the United States. Always choose an animal that the local market will accept.
Remember that your expenses will increase when transporting your livestock across a considerable distance. The only way to transform natural components into protein products for human consumption is through livestock.
However, large-scale commercial agriculture does guarantee higher profitability. Small-scale commercial farming is even feasible.
It would be best to create a business plan before launching any of these ventures. You have to be aware of the associated costs.
Conclusion
The livestock industry is a great place to find a rewarding career. There are several types of jobs that you can pursue, and the industry is multiplying.
From ranch manager and bovine IVF embryologist to livestock veterinarian, there are hundreds of different career paths and niches to work in! All the best in your search.