Animal Systems Career
If you work in the Animal Careers subsector of Animal Systems, it is your job to work to develop better, more efficient ways of producing and processing meat, poultry, eggs, aquaculture/fish farming, and dairy products. You may act as an advisor to agriculture producers on how to upgrade animal housing facilities properly, lower mortality rates, handle waste matter or increase production of animal products. Working in this subsector, you could also hold the job title of Livestock Producer, Poultry Farm Manager, Livestock Inspector, Animal Specialist, or Animal Facility Engineer.
Duties
- Examine and evaluate facilities and livestock.
- Provide counsel in reproduction and population dynamics.
- Provide counsel in health and welfare to producers.
- Provide guidance and technical assistance on good animal husbandry practices and animal welfare.
- Develop production and processing plans and make recommendations.
- Improve livestock feeding systems.
- Facilitate the implementation of animal identification and traceability and value-chain development. Maintain records.
- Assist animal scientists in research.
- Inspect and grade food products.
- Research new technologies and ways to do things to increase yields and conserve resources.
Outlook
Median Wage: approximately $80,000 annually.
Employment opportunities in Animal Systems is very good. Job opportunities are available as the trend to fewer and larger livestock and poultry production, processing and marketing firms is expected to continue. Near future growth is anticipated to be at 7%.
For more information
- American Society of Animal Science
- Future Farmers of America
- American Fisheries Society
- National Aquaculture Association
- NOAA Fisheries
- S. Aquaculture Society
- Food and Agricultural Organizations of the United Nations
- Farm Foundation
- Purebred Beef Cattle Association
- Crossbreeding Dairy Cattle
Publications
- Translational Animal Science (Oxford Academic)
- Fish Farmer Magazine
- Choices, The Magazine of Food, Farm, and Resource Issues
- World Aquaculture Magazine (Archives)
- Animal Production Journal
- Common Breeding Systems for Livestock Production (.pdf)
Academic Programs
Most individuals employed in the subsector of Animal Systems hold a bachelor’s degree. To prepare for a career in Animal Systems, postsecondary study in genetics, nutrition, reproduction, growth and care of domesticated farm animals would be helpful. To find an institution of higher education that offers a program relative to your career aspirations in Animal Systems, the easiest place to start for most people is to perform a simple search by area of interest. Overall, there are associate, bachelor, and advanced degree programs in public and private postsecondary colleges and universities across the country in the following areas:
- Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management
- Marine Resources Management
- Aquaculture
- Agricultural Engineering
- Animal Management
- Animal Bioscience
Use the link provided below and the ‘Browse for Program’ button to search by program area: