Livestock Breeding Manager Career Profile
- Career Name - Livestock Breeding Manager
- Category - Health / Livestock Management & Farming
- Skills Required - Life skills 40% - Career skills 60%
- Basic School Subjects - Biology, Business Management, Language
- Minimum Required Education - College Diploma
- Species Worked With - Farm Animals, Birds, Fish
- Kind of Interaction with Animals - Direct
Do you want to work as a Livestock Breeding Manager?
READ: This page helps you to read about the career and the info you need to decide on whether this is indeed the career you want to follow.
RESEARCH: Learn about the skills required and minimum subjects to enter this career, as well as the places where you can study further after school.
PREPARE: If you want to plan and prepare for the career, then join the OZT Community! Members have access to tools, while chatting with other students and experts from around the world. Prepare to be amazed!
CAREER MENTOR
UPDATED:
7 September 2024
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What is a Livestock Breeding Manager?
A Livestock Breeding Manager oversees the care of farm animal species, including the successful breeding of selected stock to achieve reproduction goals.
Livestock includes farm animals, birds and fish kept in an agricultural setting to produce a benefit to the owners.
Similar Careers
Their tasks may overlap with other professions or careers, such as husbandry specialists, animal geneticists and artificial insemination experts.
Here are the basic distinctions to help you choose the right path:
- Breeders – Breed specific species (domesticated and wild) as a business to make an income. Their husbandry knowledge is normally self study and basic. OZT has several of these profiles under the ANIMAL BUSINESS Category.
- Breeding Managers – Such as this profile (Livestock) work for farmers. Their husbandry knowledge is high and gained through either a diploma or degree. Managers normally don’t deal that much in the actual scientific side of the breeding, but they do work with the scientists from time to time.
- Animal Husbandry Specialists – These are more experienced and qualified people who use science when consulting with farmers and their breeding managers on best breeding practices to use to maximise their animal stock.
- Artificial Insemination Technician – These are specialists with the same or higher degree of knowledge as Husbandry Specialist who work mainly with the process of artificially fertilising animals to ensure successful breeding.
- Animal Geneticists – Highly qualified scientists who use genetic coding to find the good quality genes within each kind of animal su that these genes can be focused on and replicated in future stock. They work for research institutions and academia.
Breeding Managers may also specialise in working on game farms, where they assist in the breeding of wild animals. Their education and daily tasks are not always similar, so you can have a look at the career profile if you are interested in working with wildlife.
Alternative Names
Also known as:
- Breeding Supervisor
- Multiplication Manager
- Farrowing Manager (specialising in pig breeding)
Career Categories
The Livestock Breeding Manager career can be found in the following career categories:
- Health
- Farming & Livestock Management
What does a Livestock Breeding Manager do?
Groups of animals a Livestock Breeding Manager works with
A Livestock Breeding Manager works with various animal species, typically focusing on those raised for agricultural purposes. The specific species they manage depends on the type of farm or ranch, but commonly includes:
1. Cattle
Types:
Dairy Cattle: For milk production.
Beef Cattle: For meat production.
Breeding Focus: Traits like milk yield, meat quality, fertility, and disease resistance.
2. Sheep
Types:
Wool Sheep: For wool production.
Meat Sheep: For lamb or mutton production.
Breeding Focus: Traits such as wool quality, growth rate, and fertility.
3. Pigs (Swine)
Types:
Breeding for Pork: Different pig breeds are optimised for pork production, fat content, and meat quality.
Breeding Focus: Fast growth, feed efficiency, and reproductive performance.
4. Goats
Types:
Dairy Goats: For milk production.
Meat Goats: For goat meat (chevon) production.
Breeding Focus: Milk yield, disease resistance, and body size.
5. Poultry
Types:
Chickens: For meat (broilers) and egg production (layers).
Turkeys, Ducks, and Quail: Also bred for meat or eggs.
Breeding Focus: Egg-laying capacity, feed efficiency, and meat quality.
6. Horses
Types:
Working Horses: For agriculture or transport.
Racing or Sport Horses: For competition and performance.
Breeding Focus: Speed, endurance, strength, and temperament.
7. Rabbits
Types:
Meat Rabbits: For commercial meat production.
Fur Rabbits: For fur and pelts.
Breeding Focus: Growth rate, litter size, and fur quality.
8. Camels (in some regions)
Types:
Dromedary (one-humped) and Bactrian (two-humped) camels, used for milk, meat, or transport.
Breeding Focus: Milk yield, endurance, and adaptability to harsh environments.
9. Buffalo
Types:
Dairy Buffalo: For milk production (e.g., in India, Southeast Asia).
Breeding Focus: Milk yield, disease resistance, and temperament.
10. Llamas and Alpacas
Types:
Llamas: For packing and meat.
Alpacas: For wool production.
Breeding Focus: Wool quality, temperament, and size.
A Livestock Breeding Manager works to improve the productivity, health, and genetic traits of these species to meet the demands of agricultural production, whether for meat, milk, wool, or breeding stock.
What is the level of Interaction with the Animals?
- Directly - A person works directly with the animals with some form of physical contact at least once every few days
- Indirectly - The career doesn't require direct or physical contact at all.
What does a Livestock Breeding Manager focus on?
The primary focus of a Breeding Manager is to use best practise techniques and knowledge to ensure that a farm’s livestock breed successfully to ensure constant income for the farm owners.
A livestock breeding manager plays a crucial role in maintaining the genetic integrity and productivity of livestock, ensuring that farms or ranches can produce healthy, high-quality animals for various purposes, including food production, wool, or breeding stock.
What are the daily tasks of a Livestock Breeding Manager?
- Oversee the welfare, feeding, monitoring, record-keeping, care and day-to-day management of the animals in your department
- Oversee room set-up and initial inspections for mother animals
- Confirm that all animals have proper feed and water
- Monitor and assist mother animals during birth
- Monitor health of all animals
- Oversee C-sections as needed
- Manage proper euthanization to mother and baby animals
- Warrant that vaccinations of mother and baby animals are completed
- Manage weaning
- Oversee that nursery processes are completed and that wounds are treated (tail length, castration, tattooing, ruptures)
- Ensure proper ventilation to animals and assign heat lamp management
- Schedule and assign tasks to meet production goals
- Oversee general maintenance of facility including cleanliness, pest control, feed systems, power washing, etc.
- Complete daily checks on security and alarm systems, and respond to them
- Train and develop breeding staff
- Keep records and paperwork of breeding, births, weaning, illness and disease, accidents, supplies and euthanizations
- Maintain the highest level of animal health and welfare
(Source: agcareers.com)
The working Environment of a Livestock Breeding Manager
Where does a Livestock Breeding Manager work?
Environment –
Livestock Breeding Managers work mostly outdoors with the animals.
Places of Employment –
They can be employed by breeding organizations and livestock farms.
What is the average annual salary of a Livestock Breeding Manager?
The average income per year is around $55,000. This will differ from country to country.
What difficulties can a Livestock Breeding Manager face?
The most difficult part is working with animals that may be temperamental and dangerous. They may also need to work long hours and over weekends.
Future growth and Possibilities
With the growth in farms and the need for more hands-on experience in breeding species with a higher yield, the market is growing at an average of 6%.
Which Skills are required by a Livestock Breeding Manager?
The skills required for a career as a Livestock Breeding Manager can be divided into two very important groups. The first is the group containing life skills, which are the core skills that are necessary or desirable for full participation in everyday life. The second group is career skills, or the specific skills required to allow a person to enter and operate effectively within a specific career. Some or maybe even all of the life skills can assist in strengthening the career skills, and they might even be the same for specific careers.
Life Skills
- Self-awareness
- Empathy
- Critical thinking
- Creative thinking
- Decision making
- Problem Solving
- Effective communication
- Interpersonal relationship
Career Skills
- Animal Care
- Animal Handling
- Handling Equipment
- Good business knowledge
- Basic customer service skills
- Good health and physical fitness
- Excellent computer literacy
Which Subjects must I have at School to prepare for this career?
If you are intending to study further, then Biology is extremely important for college and university admission.
Most breeders need to understand the basics of business, ensuring maximum results and profit
An good mark in your primary language is required for admission if you want to study further. It is also needed in communicating within the livestock husbandry field.
The subjects you choose at school are important as they lay the foundation for further studies at college or university. While still at school, it’s also important to learn more about the animals you will work with, as well as gain some experience.
OZT has a list of various tertiary institutions where you can study further, after school. Each of these institutions also has its own Group page on OZT where you will find the exact subjects required of you to have passed in school. Keep these requirements in mind, and discuss it with your school, guidance counsellor and parents to ensure that you are prepared!
What will I need to Study to become a Livestock Breeding Manager?
Minimum Requirements
The minimum requirement to become a Livestock Breeding Manager would be a College Diploma, as most of the work would require a higher level of knowledge. Some do go on to study towards a Bachelor’s Degree at university.
Study Focus
Major –
Courses in farm animal production, livestock nutrition, genetics, animal science and business management.
Short Courses –
Courses in animal behaviour, physiology and farming.
Study Duration
The duration of a College Diploma may vary between 2 to 3 years, and a Bachelor’s Degrees can be up to 3 or 4 years. Short Courses are usually between a few weeks and a year.
FREE Career Preparation Path Plan
If this is your dream career that you want to pursue, then it’s important to plan the way forward.
Why is planning important?
To ensure that you understand the requirements for your career, and that you are always prepared for the next step on the road towards your dream. A preparation path is like your road map to where you want to be.
Possible Paths:
1. Attend Career Guidance Sessions
Participate in career guidance sessions at school to explore animal husbandry, agriculture, and business-related careers. Learn about the responsibilities, educational requirements, and opportunities in livestock breeding management.
2. Research All Possible Careers
Investigate the various roles within animal breeding and livestock management, such as livestock manager, breeding technician, and agricultural consultant. Develop a clear understanding of the career path and opportunities within the livestock industry.
3. Explore Educational Paths
Research educational options such as agricultural science, animal science, or veterinary technology programs at vocational schools, colleges, and universities. Identify the best programmes to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to manage livestock breeding operations.
4. Align High School Subjects with the Educational Path
Subjects to Focus On:
Biology (animal physiology, genetics)
Agricultural Science
Mathematics (for data analysis and record-keeping)
Business Studies (for understanding farm management and entrepreneurship)
Action: Select high school courses that will provide a foundation in animal biology, genetics, and management.
5. Obtain a High School Diploma or Equivalent
Complete high school with a focus on science and agriculture-related subjects. Fulfill the minimum educational requirement to enter post-secondary education or the job market.
6. Learn About Animals You Will Work With
Study livestock species such as cattle, sheep, pigs, and poultry, focusing on their breeding, genetics, nutrition, and health care. Build a solid understanding of the animals you’ll manage in breeding operations.
7. Align Post-School Path with Either Entering a Career/Job Directly, Studying Further, or Starting a Business
Decide whether to start working immediately in entry-level positions (such as a breeding assistant) or pursue higher education in animal science, genetics, or agricultural management. Tailor your career path to your long-term goals, whether starting a breeding business or advancing in a larger agricultural enterprise.
8. Gain Experience Through Volunteering, Internship, Mentorship, etc.
Gain practical experience by volunteering or interning at farms, breeding centres, or agricultural businesses. Work under the guidance of a livestock breeding manager. Acquire hands-on experience and learn the day-to-day responsibilities of breeding operations.
9. Pursue Extracurricular Activities
Join agricultural clubs like 4-H or FFA (Future Farmers of America), participate in science fairs, and engage in breeding-related projects. Gain leadership skills and practical experience in livestock management and genetics.
10. Join Professional Associations
Join agricultural and livestock breeding associations like the American Society of Animal Science or local farming cooperatives. Access industry insights, networking opportunities, and professional resources to advance your career.
11. Gain Specialised Skills
Develop skills in livestock genetics, artificial insemination, Embryo transfer, and farm management through courses, workshops, or certifications. Become proficient in the advanced techniques necessary for successful livestock breeding operations.
12. Network with Professionals
Attend agricultural conferences, trade shows, and livestock exhibitions to meet experienced breeders, farmers, and industry experts. Build a professional network that can provide mentorship, job leads, and business opportunities.
13. Enter the Job Market, Finish Tertiary Studies, or Launch a Business
After gaining experience and education, either apply for positions in livestock breeding management or start your own breeding business. Begin your professional career as a livestock breeding manager or breeder entrepreneur.
14. Stay Updated and Pursue Continuing Education
Regularly update your knowledge through workshops, webinars, and courses in livestock genetics, animal welfare, and agricultural technologies. Stay current with industry trends and innovations, ensuring continued success in the evolving livestock breeding field.
By following this preparation path, a high school student can develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and experience to pursue a successful career as a Livestock Breeding Manager.
Possible Combined Career Paths
It is possible to sometimes combine two or more related careers. This normally happens when you study and practice a specific main career, but the knowledge and experience gained also help you to have a paying hobby or secondary income career.
Possible Alternatives (there are a lot more):
Stepping Stone Career
Being a Livestock Breeding Manager can also be used as a stepping stone career. A stepping stone career is one which is used to help you get to another career, normally because the other career is too difficult to reach (sometimes due to things like high fees etc).
You can begin as an intern or apprentice after basic short courses and expert guidance (maybe working under a mentor). The money made can then be used to pay for studies towards a promotion or another career, and the experience helps in gaining knowledge. One paying to help get to the other.
Some of the possible paths:
Training and apprenticeship
Even though it is important to study to get into some of the animal careers, most of the skills you will need as a Livestock Breeding Manager will be acquired through practice. This means that you will learn how to perform some of the daily tasks by actually doing it a few times and learning the steps.
In some cases entry level positions require training sessions even before you are allowed to actually perform your job duties. These sessions are offered by the place of employment, after you have successfully applied.
Apprenticeship is also possible where you need to learn skills from a more senior specialist or expert.
Join the Livestock Breeding Managers Group in the OZT Community to learn more and even interact with the educational institutions that will help you secure your dream career!
Average level of education of all the people who enter the career
Licenses, Certificate, Registration and Professional Associations
Certain animal careers require some form of legal certification to prove that you can indeed do the work, and work with the necessary equipment.
Although not required by law, certifications may help workers establish their credentials and enhance their skills.
Learn more about requirements by joining the Community.
Professional Associations
Where can I study further?
All of the above information will help you understand more about the Career, including the fact that there are different paths to take to reach it. But if you are almost done with High School (Grades 11 or 12), you also need to start thinking about further studies, and WHERE you will study.
See the List of Universities, Colleges and Online Training Academies who offer courses towards animal breeding.
How do I start to prepare for this Career?
If you do decide on following this career, then OZT can assist you in figuring out a path to prepare, as well as help you to gain further knowledge about the career and the animals you will be working with. We do this by offering you FREE career development tools. There are almost a dozen free tools, but these are the three primary ones:
CAREER PATH PLAN
Use the career path plan above on this profile as an example to follow, or to work out your own path.
COST; Free
ACCESS: Open to visitors and Members
SHORT COURSES
Access easy-to-use short courses to make your career preparation easier! The basic information in each course is free, but the rewards can only be unlocked as an OZT member!
COST; Free
ACCESS: Open to visitors and Members
STUDY GUIDE
Get a supercharged study guide that fits into the career path plan! Now that's really upping your preparation game! Join us for free to gain access!
COST; Free
ACCESS: Members Only
But, if you are still uncertain about choosing this specific career, and even where to start, then have a look at our special series of WHAT NEXT courses (link below). They take you through all of the questions you might have on how to choose the right career, what to do while at and after school, and even how to start your own business.
OR
Join the OZT community and Livestock Breeding Manager Group
Join us as a special member and learn more about becoming a Livestock Breeding Manager.
Members of the Platform have special access to:
- Info on the best places where you can study (colleges, universities and online)
- Expertly designed advice to prepare you for the career, and links to places where you can gain valuable experience. For some career experience is necessary, otherwise you wont get the job!
- Top notch info on each of the different species you will work with
- Make friends around the world and share knowledge
- Compete and win points, badges, games, prizes and certificates. Be the best of the best, while you learn and prepare!
If you have decided on being a Livestock Breeding Manager, please click on the JOIN GROUP button. Members will be directed to the Group, while non-members will be assisted to register first.
If this career is NOT the career for you, then you may return to the MAIN CAREER menu, and search for something different.
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Career Profiles and Resources
Career Mentors are Members who assist by volunteering to keep each Career Page factual and current while mentoring Students in the related Career Group.
Contributions by expert members are always appreciated to allow the students to make informed decisions. Please add your contribution through the attached form:
List of Career Mentors/Educators who have contributed to this Career info:
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A few pictures about the Career:
- Link
Some of the best websites to help you decide on the Career:
The Cattle Site
https://www.thecattlesite.com
This site provides comprehensive information on cattle breeding, genetics, animal health, and farm management. It includes industry news, articles, and expert insights on various aspects of cattle farming, including breeding techniques.
Progressive Dairy
https://www.progressivedairy.com
A resourceful site dedicated to dairy cattle management, this platform offers articles, tools, and resources on breeding, genetics, and herd management. It focuses on practical knowledge for improving livestock productivity and sustainability.
Beef Magazine
https://www.beefmagazine.com
This magazine covers all aspects of beef cattle breeding and management. It provides detailed resources on genetic selection, breeding programs, and industry innovations, aimed at helping producers improve herd performance and profitability.
